As announced by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on Thursday 25 April (see EUROPE 13400/9), on Monday 29 April, the Council of the EU adopted an assistance measure under the ‘European Peace Facility’ for the armed forces of Côte d'Ivoire.
This support, worth €15 million, is intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces in order to secure the areas close to the land borders and counter the non-state armed groups that are destabilising the country and the whole of the West African region, the EU Council stated in its press release.
The EU will provide equipment not designed to deliver lethal force in order to upgrade the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities through the acquisition of communication and data transmission equipment and unmanned aerial systems. The support will also strengthen the logistics and security of the military units deployed in the northern areas of the country through the provision of multi-purpose vehicles and personal protective equipment.
According to the EU Council, the delivery of the equipment will be accompanied by relevant tactical and on-the-job training, as required. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)