Intelligence training session for French and African soldiers in cooperation in Senegal
Today, international cooperation is of crucial importance in many areas, including defense and security. It is with this in mind that the intelligence training session which took place in Senegal, bringing together French and African officers, was carried out.
As part of this initiative, nearly 500 French soldiers have been deployed to Senegal for twelve years to provide training and exercises to Senegalese officers as well as those from other ECOWAS member countries. However, an evolution of this military presence is expected in the coming months. In fact, this will be reduced and training will be increasingly co-managed with the Senegalese army itself.
The intelligence training session was closely followed by an RFI team, allowing us to see how this cooperation works on the ground. Sixteen officers from Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Guinea-Conakry came together to collect information and manage unexpected situations. A full-scale exercise which turns out to be different from what these officers are used to in their respective countries.
One of the Beninese officers present during this training session stressed the importance of working in an international environment and cooperating with other armies. This reinforced collaboration makes it possible to eliminate certain linguistic and cultural barriers which can sometimes complicate exchanges between military personnel.
Another particularity of this training is the presence of a Senegalese army officer who co-organizes the training with the French. This co-management approach is a model praised by Lieutenant-Colonel Louis, responsible for coordinating this training. According to him, the presence of a Senegalese officer offers additional sensitivity and facilitates interactions between the different nationalities present. It highlights the importance of fluidity of exchanges when soldiers come from neighboring countries.
This evolution of the French military presence in Senegal is part of the implementation of presidential decisions. The objective is to develop increasingly close cooperation with African partners, particularly in terms of training. With this in mind, a reduction in the presence of French soldiers is planned, from 500 to around 260 by the summer of 2024. These instructors will, however, remain on site to continue training.
In conclusion, this intelligence training session in Senegal perfectly illustrates France’s desire to strengthen cooperation with African countries in matters of defense and security.. This new approach to co-management and the reduction in military presence will enable greater autonomy and expertise for African armed forces in the management of crisis situations. A fruitful collaboration that fits into current international security challenges.