SIPODI West organises seminars for the police in anticipation of the 2025 Elections in Côte d'Ivoire

Elections are a fundamental pillar of democracy, and their smooth conduct relies on professional security measures. With this in mind, the SIPODI Program of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung organized, from February 27 to 28, 2025, the launch of a series of traveling seminars on electoral security. These meetings will take place in Duékoué, Yamoussoukro, and Aboisso.

First Stop: Duékoué

The first seminar was held at the Hôtel Senevé in Duékoué, bringing together high-ranking officials from the National Gendarmerie and the National Police of the Montagnes District. Participants included General Koffi Franck, Director of Intervention Units (DUI) of the National Police, as well as Legion, Company, Squadron, and Police District Commanders.

The opening ceremony was conducted under the authority of Ms. Symakan née Coulibaly, Secretary General of the Prefecture in charge of departmental affairs, representing the Prefect of the Region and the Department of Duékoué, Mr. Cissé Coulibaly.

Commitment to Peaceful Elections

The attending authorities expressed their commitment to supporting all peace and security initiatives during the electoral process. Dr. Tobias Ruettershoff, Director of the SIPODI Program, reaffirmed the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's dedication to supporting measures for security and stability.

Engaging Expert Discussions

The seminar featured multiple presentations by experts from the Defense and Security Forces as well as civilian specialists. Key topics included:

• Collaboration between the electoral body and security forces for secure elections

  • By Mr. Ouattara Brahima, Security Operations Coordinator at the CEI.

• Ethics and security standards during elections

  • Presented by the Police Prefect of Man, Mr. Caire N'guessan Ettien, and Lieutenant Colonel Affro Olivier.

• Crowd management during election periods

  • With insights from General Koffi Franck and Squadron Leader Gaoua Mobio.

• Electoral security and international human rights standards

  • By Mr. Wodjo Traoré Fini, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Interior and Security.

• Implementing community policing for sustainable security

  • Presented by Prefect Tra Bi, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Interior and Security.

Key Recommendations for Optimal Security

Participants proposed several recommendations to the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the Defense and Security Forces to enhance their effectiveness in the field.

The seminar, which gathered 40 officers from the National Police and National Gendarmerie, concluded with a closing ceremony attended by the Secretaries General of the Guémon Regional Prefecture, as well as representatives of the City Hall and Regional Council.

Next Stop: Yamoussoukro

The next seminar is scheduled for March 19-22, 2025, in Yamoussoukro, focusing on electoral security in the Central region of Côte d'Ivoire.