The United States Embassy in Abidjan announced on January 14, 2025, that the United States has deployed instructors for former drivers and mechanics of the Ivorian Armed Forces (FACI), ahead of the imminent delivery of 12 armored personnel carriers.
This mission aims to ensure optimal handling of the vehicles, in particular by training the drivers and mechanics of the armed forces. The objective is to guarantee complete mastery of this equipment before its operational deployment.
The program focuses on key skills, such as driving, maintenance and durability of these vehicles, ensuring a transfer of high-level know-how to the Ivorian military. Once integrated into the FACI arsenal, these armored vehicles should contribute to improving the security and stability of the country.
The endeavor is part of efforts to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Ivorian army.
Last February, the United States pledged $45 million in new funding to support the security and stability of West African countries facing regional threats, such as terrorism, piracy, and illicit trafficking.
The announcement was made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Cote d’Ivoire on 22 and 23 January, where he met with President Alassane Ouattara and discussed bilateral and regional issues.
Blinken praised Cote d’Ivoire for its leadership and partnership in countering extremism and violence, as well as its efforts to work with communities and build security together.
“The United States’ commitment to regional stability and combatting violent extremism includes support for the International Counterterrorism Academy (AILCT). As a member of the AILCT governing board we are investing over $8.2 million to build this multilateral institution and train forces to build a common approach to counter terrorism,” the Department of State explained.
Similarly, in May last year, the European Union (EU) said it will support the Ivorian armed forces by way of a €15 million Euro “assistance measure”.
The multi-million Euro assistance, supplied by the EU European Peace Facility (EPF), will assist in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Ivoirian armed forces to secure areas close to the landlocked country’s borders with Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. Funds will also go to counter non-state armed groups which are destabilising the country and the West Africa region, an EU statement said in part.
