In an effort to fight against the attacks of terrorist in West Africa, the government of neighboring Cote d’Ivoire has inaugurated an International anti-terrorist academy in Jacqueville several 45 kilometers outside of the Ivorian commercial capital city, Abidjan.
Speaking at the ceremony of the international academy on June 10, 2021, the Ivoirian Prime Minister, Patrick Achi reaffirms the government’s determination and willingness to fight terrorism, a new security threat which is been faced by many countries now in West Africa.
“The Academy is an essential instrument in the fight against terrorism in the sub-region, faced with this dark and predatory threat which hangs over the progress of our West African societies, we have chosen to respond by daring, the courage, determination and committed cooperation of our nations,” the prime minister noted.
He also maintained that terrorism cuts the budgets and it’s time that states should be devoted to education, health, access to drinking water or housing.
Prime Minister Patrick Achie noted that only joint action will allow lasting victory insisting on the protection of populations that must experience a life of peace, security, progress and freedom.
Activities of the Academy are basically based on three distinct and complementary pillars, namely, a training center for specialized intervention units, an inter-ministerial training school for executives and actors in the fight against terrorism and a research institute dedicated to the study of the terrorist threat to the sharing of doctrines and to the exchange of experiences.
Built on an area of 1,100 acres of land, comprises academic buildings, housing, a 200-seat amphitheater and a training center with nautical areas, the academy is the first of its kind in the region.
Terroristic attacks are common in West Africa notably in Nigeria where the Boko Haram Islamic Militant group has been killing since 2009.
The group has killed and adopted thousands of people including children, although the government of Nigeria has constantly resisted their operations.
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the minister of defense for Cote d’Ivoire, Téné BIRAHIMA OUATTARA.
