Hundreds of police officers, including nine women, took part in courses in security and first aid given by the EU in Côte d’Ivoire this summer. The training took place at the Police School in Korhogo in a bid to reduce costs and travel time for police officers, particularly those in the north and those operating near the Burkina Faso border.

It took place following the successful training activities in support of the police of Benin in May 2024.

Police training focus

The training focused on two different topics:

1. Sensitization for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED
2. First aid in hostile environment

Each training session lasted two-and-a-half days. By the end of the training cycle, over 300 police officers will have taken part in EUSDI training with later sessions planned for the Ivorian Gendarmerie.

About the EU SDI

The European Union Security and Defence Initiative (EU SDI) in the Gulf of Guinea was launched in December 2023 in collaboration with Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

The initiative provides military and civilian support tailored to the needs identified by Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. It complements the EU’s ongoing efforts to enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Follow the link to learn more about the EU SDI in the Gulf of Guinea