Abidjan is currently the nerve center of regional military cooperation. Since Tuesday, March 31, the Ivorian economic capital has been hosting the planning conference for the major multinational joint exercise "GEX 26" . This large-scale deployment, scheduled for the last quarter of the year, marks an unprecedented step in defense relations between Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, and France.

A united front in the face of security challenges

The objective of this meeting, which concludes on April 2nd at the Hôtel des Armées (Army Headquarters), is to lay the logistical and strategic groundwork for the exercise. Organized under the auspices of the Chief of the General Staff of the Ivorian Armed Forces, General Lassina Doumbia , "GEX 26" focuses on two major priorities:

1. Interoperability: Harmonizing working methods between the Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FACI), the Gabonese Armed Forces and French units.
2. Responsiveness: Testing command chains in the face of new threats to the stability of the region.

A high-precision preparation

At the opening ceremony, Brigadier General Jean-Christophe Mouho , the national project manager, emphasized the need for "rigorous and coherent" preparation. This planning phase is intended to validate the tactical scenarios that will be played out simultaneously in Ivory Coast and Gabon.

"This work is crucial to ensuring the success of the exercise." — Brigadier General Landry Mbondo (Gabon) & Air Brigadier General Pierre Wenker (France).

Ivory Coast, a pillar of regional stability

More than just technical training, "GEX 26" sends a strong signal. It confirms the growing strength of the FACI ( Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire) as a key player in security in West Africa. This tripartite cooperation, presented as unprecedented in its scope, illustrates a shared commitment to building a robust and integrated defense architecture.

In summary: The “GEX 26” will not only simulate combat; it will permanently consolidate military ties between Abidjan, Libreville and Paris to address contemporary security challenges.