The International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (ICOAF) was held in Africa for the first time. The host was South Africa, the only country on the continent with a military ombudsman.
Establishing the South African Military Ombud (SAMO) and contributing to global collaboration on military accountability are points of great pride in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which models the principle of African solutions to African security challenges by running a robust operation.
In opening the conference, South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to independent oversight of the military.
She emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue between military institutions, ombuds offices and the public, saying that “transparency and accountability are key to maintaining confidence in the armed forces.”
“By working together, we can create a robust network of support for individuals, particularly those serving in our armed forces who may face difficulties related to their service,” she said. “In this way, ombuds institutions will not only become a source of redress but also act as a means of preventing injustice before it happens.”
Ombuds from institutions and oversight bodies of more than 35 countries attended the 17th ICOAF, which was held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park near Johannesburg from October 7 to 9. The event was jointly organized and hosted by SAMO and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).
Panel discussions touched on several topics, including how to raise awareness and operationalize outreach efforts; providing space for the exchange of best practices and tools; and the role of ombuds institutions in addressing corruption and abuses of power within the armed forces.
“Many people, especially those who face challenges with public service delivery, often do not know where to turn for help or recourse,” Motshekga said. “In the realm of defense, this could mean the difference between a Soldier suffering from unjust treatment and the establishment of a fair, transparent investigation into the matter.”
SAMO was established in 2012 to strengthen accountability and fairness within the security sector. The office investigates complaints by current and former members of SANDF and the public. It received 590 complaints from Soldiers and civilians during the 2024-25 financial year that ended in March.
In his annual report, Ombudsman retired Lt. Gen. Vusumuzi Masondo noted the increase in new complaints compared to previous years. “The office managed a caseload of 662 complaints, comprising 590 new complaints received during the financial year and 72 carried over from the previous year,” he said before the conference, according to defenceWeb.
Of the 590 new complaints received, 269 were submitted by members of the SANDF, raising concerns about their conditions of service. SAMO received 294 complaints from the public about the conduct of military personnel.
During the conference, DCAF Deputy Director Béatrice Godefroy said that awareness efforts are critical to the efficacy of ombuds institutions, as unsafe conditions can persist in silence and undermine trust within the military and the public.
“As DCAF, we are committed to constantly empower and capacitate ombuds institutions for institutional transformation to take place,” she said. “The institutions must exercise fairness in their pursuit of complaints-handling and solutions.”
Masondo agreed that outreach and awareness should be a norm.
“Failing to communicate effectively and engage communities can result in profound and far-reaching consequences,” he said in a speech. “When outreach is absent, risks often go unidentified and unaddressed. This not only has the potential to harm individuals but imposes heavy financial costs, damages reputations and may trigger legal penalties.”