Ivory Coast trains 26 experts on chemical weapons protection
Specialists from 14 countries are learning detection, decontamination, and victim care at Abidjan's counter-terrorism academy.
26 specialists from 14 countries are undergoing advanced training in chemical weapons protection in Ivory Coast. The course, held at the International Academy for Counter-Terrorism (AILCT) in Abidjan, began on October 27, 2026, and concludes on November 3 with an integrated exercise. Participants are learning detection, decontamination, emergency management, and victim care over eight days.
The training, organized with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), focuses on assistance and protection following chemical attacks or accidents. Loic Luyeye, an OPCW representative, noted that while Africa is free of chemical weapons, toxic substances used in agriculture, industry, and mining pose constant risks. The program aims to equip first responders, as a poorly prepared firefighter or doctor can become a victim.
The session is a joint effort by the OPCW, Ivory Coast's Permanent Secretariat of the Commission for the Prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction (SPCIADM-CI), and AILCT. General Kouamé Joseph Allah, AILCT's Director General, urged participants to show unwavering moral and intellectual commitment. This training reinforces Ivory Coast's role as a regional security platform, with delegations returning home with immediately useful skills.
Why it matters26 experts from 14 countries are being trained in chemical weapons protection in Ivory Coast, enhancing regional security capabilities.