The Law of Armed Conflict in The Era of Cyber Technology: Assessing The Legal Challenges and Response in Tanzania

Abstract

The development of cyber technology has broughtchallenges to various aspects of life. Legal regime regulatingthe means and methods of warfare stands amongst themost affected regimes due to such advancement. Theexisting puzzle is on whether there is a need to conclude anew Convention on international humanitarian law toaddress the challenges of cyber technology or not. Whilediscussing issues relating to this puzzle, this articleexamines the legal regime in Tanzania and its rapport to therules of international humanitarian law (IHL) including cyberwarfare. The article observes out that, the Tanzanian legalframework insufficiently addresses the challenges of cyberwarfare. Apart from relying on the ordinary crimes approachin interpreting and prosecuting IHL breaches, this articleconcludes that necessary legislative measures need to betaken by Tanzania to fill the gaps brought by cybertechnology to the rules of IHL.Keywords: Armed Conflict, Cyber Technology, Cyber Warfare,Law of Armed Conflict, Ordinary Crimes Approach,Tallinn Manual.