On November 28-29, 2024, the first major Army-Parliamentary Conference of the Defense and Security Commission (CDS) was held in Yamoussoukro at the initiative of the SIPODI Program of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The central theme was: "Exchange on the Principles of Security Cooperation for an Effective Fight Against New Forms of Threats in Côte d'Ivoire".
During the two-day event, more than 50 senior officers from various general staffs of the Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FACI), the National Gendarmerie, the National Police, the Forestry Administration, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior met with parliamentarians of the Defense and Security Commission of the National Assembly. The aim was to improve collaboration between these two institutions in combating new threats to internal security.
The opening of this significant conference was attended by Brigadier General Sakho Issa, Director of Administration and Finance at the Ministry of Defense, representing the State Minister and Minister of Defense. Also present was the Chairman of the Defense and Security Commission, the Honorable Kone Lassina, representing the President of the National Assembly.
The thematic discussions began with an inaugural conference on the topic: "What framework for collaboration between the army and parliament in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in Côte d'Ivoire?" This presentation was given by Dr. Eddie Guipie, who highlighted the institutional and normative framework of this collaboration, particularly through Article 108 of the 2016 Constitution, as well as the established dialogue between the two institutions in the context of war declarations. Additionally, the importance of the bicameral parliament of the Third Republic in the fight against terrorism was emphasized.
Subsequently, several panels addressed security challenges and areas where increased collaboration between security forces and parliamentarians is necessary.
Numerous experts from civil society and academia, senior officers, and parliamentarians shared their insights on the discussed topics, including:
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"Parliamentary Oversight of Intelligence Services: Information or Prior Parliamentary Authorization?" - Presented by Dr. Auguste Koffi, Lecturer at the University of Korhogo.
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"Connections Between Illicit Resource Trafficking and Terrorism Financing" - Presented by Colonel Serge N'Goran, Commander of the Forensic Institute of the National Gendarmerie. He demonstrated the real link between illegal gold mining and the financing of terrorism and recommended stricter legal regulations to parliamentarians.
Additional high-ranking officers from the army and gendarmerie, as well as members of the CDS Commission, presented various security-related topics:
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"International Norms for Counter-Terrorism and Their Applicability by the Ivorian Army" - Presented by Colonel Jean-Noël Nguessan, Deputy Commander of the Army's Training Centers and Military School Command.
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"Côte d'Ivoire's Armament Policy and Parliamentary Budgetary Control: Defense Secrecy and the Need for Budgetary Oversight" - Presented by Professor Arthur Banga.
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"Reflections on Côte d'Ivoire's Military Cooperation: New Approaches and Diversification of Partnerships - Strategic Issues and Challenges" - Presented by Colonel Djénine Franck Bably.
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"Communication Management in Internal and External Military Operations" - Presented by Colonel Gnahe Etienne Otchelio, Head of the Communication Department of the Army General Staff.
The conference concluded with the topic "Managing the Humanitarian Situation in Northern Côte d'Ivoire Amidst Tensions with the Countries of Origin of Refugees: Military and Parliamentary Approaches." This presentation was delivered by Colonel Jean-Marc Tago, Head of the Eastern Operational Zone at the Army General Staff, and the Honorable Issiaka Ouattara, Deputy and CDS Member. Both shared their experiences in their respective areas and the measures taken by both institutions on the matter.
The conference served as an important platform for exchange between the military and parliament, laying the foundation for enhanced cooperation in national security strategy.
