France and Côte d’Ivoire are joining forces to secure the Gulf of Guinea, a strategic area threatened by piracy and terrorism. The visit of the Mistral helicopter carrier to Abidjan highlights this enhanced collaboration, as France adjusts its military presence in Africa.
Vice-Admiral Jean-François Quérat, Commander of the Atlantic Maritime Zone for the French forces, reaffirmed on Monday the importance of the partnership between France and Côte d’Ivoire in maritime security. « From an operational perspective, we are working hand in hand to tackle the challenges of the Gulf of Guinea together, » he said in Abidjan, emphasizing the issues related to fighting illegal fishing, piracy, and terrorism.
This announcement comes as the amphibious helicopter carrier Mistral and the frigate Surcouf docked in Abidjan as part of the « Jeanne d’Arc 2025 » mission. This five-month mission, which will cover three continents, aims to train French Navy officer cadets while strengthening strategic relationships with several partners, including Côte d’Ivoire, the only African stop scheduled.
Joint Exercises to Secure the Region
The 800 military personnel aboard, including 151 officer cadets – among them one Ivorian – will conduct joint exercises with the Ivorian military in the San-Pédro region, in the southwest of the country, until Thursday. These maneuvers aim to improve force interoperability and enhance surveillance and intervention capabilities at sea.
The Gulf of Guinea is one of the most sensitive maritime areas in the world, where acts of piracy and terrorist incursions threaten regional stability. Coastal countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, are on the front lines facing these growing threats.
Adjusted French Military Presence in Africa
This collaboration is part of the ongoing transformation of France’s military presence in Africa. On February 20, France handed over its large military base near Abidjan, which it had occupied for nearly 50 years, to Côte d’Ivoire. Unlike the more strained withdrawals observed in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, this handover was negotiated and reflects a desire for renewed cooperation.
French Minister of Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, had stressed that this repositioning aligns with a strategy to rethink France’s military engagement in Africa, favoring strengthened bilateral partnerships over permanent military presence.
With this new mission and joint exercises in Côte d’Ivoire, France reaffirms its commitment alongside its African partners for the stability and security of the Gulf of Guinea.
Source: africaradio
