Event Reports

SIPODI accompanying Benin's ENSA on a study tour to Nigeria

A Look Inside the Nigerian Army

Abuja – Kaduna (Nigeria), May 31–June 7, 2026 – As part of its partnership with Benin’s École Nationale Supérieure des Armées (ENSA), the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation’s (KAS) Regional Program “Dialogue on Security Policy in West Africa” (SIPODI) supported and funded a study tour to Nigeria for a delegation comprising ENSA’s command, its senior staff, students from the school, and representatives of the SIPODI Program. This mission is in line with the Program’s vision and aims to strengthen the capabilities of defense and security forces through the sharing of experiences, regional cooperation, and the promotion of democratic governance in the security sector.

SIPODI is advancing the discussion on biometric identity and the protection of personal data

Biometrics and Security: African Journalists Receive Training on the Topic

From March 25 to 26, 2026, the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation’s (KAS) SIPODI Program, in partnership with the Network of African Journalists Specializing in Defense and Security Issues (REJA-DS), organized a regional seminar in Cotonou on the theme: “Biometric Identity and Citizen Security: The Role of Citizens in Addressing Personal Data Protection Challenges.” The event brought together several journalists specializing in defense and security issues from various African countries, as well as experts on digital issues, representatives from public institutions, and civil society actors. The goal was to deepen understanding of the issues related to biometric identity, personal data security, and the role of citizens in the democratic governance of identification systems.

SIPODI West and ENSOA launch an Innovative Initiative for Basic Counterterrorism Training

Bouaké, Ivory Coast – In response to evolving security threats in West Africa, the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation’s (KAS) Regional Program “Dialogue on Security Policy in West Africa” (SIPODI) continues its commitment to strengthening the capacity of defense and security forces. As part of this effort, it organized an introductory session on basic counterterrorism training for noncommissioned officer cadets at the National School for Active-Duty Noncommissioned Officers (ENSOA) in Bouaké from May 4 to 6, 2026.

Alumni from the SIPODI West Scholarship Program Create Alumni Network

First Edition of the SIPODI Alumni Network’s Strategic Dialogue: Fostering Cooperation for Regional Security

A strategic meeting brought together several senior officers and trainees from the Advanced Defense Studies Course (CESD) and the General Staff Course at the Armed Forces Academy (AFA), with the aim of sharing experiences, engaging in collective reflection, and strengthening ties among the beneficiaries of training initiatives supported by the SIPODI program. A strategic initiative to strengthen the capabilities of Africa’s military leadership

Strengthening civil-military cooperation to tackle the terrorist threat

Securing the North through dialogue and civil-military cooperation

Against a regional security backdrop marked by rising terrorist threats, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation’s SIPODI programme organised a strategic seminar on the theme: ‘Counter-terrorism: civil-military cooperation’, bringing together in Korhogo the key civilian and military stakeholders involved in securing Côte d’Ivoire’s northern borders.

Women and Security: SIPODI West launches a new approach to security in Côte d’Ivoire

Strengthening the role of women and young people in security governance in Côte d’Ivoire. A strategic seminar in Dabou for inclusive and participatory security.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s SIPODI Programme encourages women and young people to become more involved in monitoring security policies. During a seminar, women’s organisations in particular, as well as youth organisations, received capacity-building training on security issues relating to security sector reform and United Nations Resolution 1325. This meeting enabled participants to broaden their knowledge through contributions from various perspectives.

Rencontre du Réseau International sur la Sécurité et la Coopération pour la Paix (RISC)

LES DÉFIS SÉCURITAIRES DANS L’ESPACE CEDEAO

La Rencontre du Réseau International sur la Sécurité et la Coopération pour la Paix (RISC), organisée par le Programme SIPODI à Abidjan, a réuni chercheurs et décideurs autour des défis sécuritaires en Afrique de l’Ouest. Les échanges ont souligné l’importance d’approches régionales et du dialogue entre acteurs civils, militaires et académiques pour renforcer la paix et la coopération.

Fight against terrorism—civilian and military authorities discuss an improved cooperation

Civilian-military collaboration strengthens the fight against terrorism

The SIPODI Program is initiating a training workshop between civilians and military personnel as part of the fight against terrorism in the West African sub-region. In an area where the geopolitical configuration is of strategic importance, collaboration seems to be the most plausible approach for successfully combating terrorism and violent extremism. Civilians and military personnel (FDS as a whole) will discuss the issue in Bouaké over two days.

The SIPODI West Programme and RAMP-BENIN celebrate peace at the conclusion of the “HWY4PS” project

Closing of the Training Programme for Young Beninese People on Peace and Security

Education for peace and security requires training for committed young people. At the conclusion of this training series, the SIPODI Programme, in support of RAMP-Benin, reaffirmed its ambition to make young people the primary actors in the balance of action for peace in West Africa. It was a day rich in learning.

2025 Abidjan International Conference on Security

Security challenges in West Africa in light of geopolitical issues

Organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation through its Security Policy Dialogue Program in West Africa (SIPODI), in partnership with the Abidjan Center for Political Research (CRPA)