In a context where securing electoral processes remains a major challenge for democratic stability, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), through its Program for Dialogue on Security in West Africa (SIPODI), organized a traveling seminar on security during election periods.
Held on March 20 and 21, 2025, at the Hanniel Hotel in Yamoussoukro, this workshop was a follow-up to the one held in Duekoué last month. The workshop brought together some 30 officers from the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), electoral experts, and human rights specialists. The main objective was to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to manage election-related security threats and promote strategies to ensure peaceful elections.
1. Mobilization of institutional actors for secure elections
The opening ceremony was attended by the city's administrative and security authorities, as well as representatives of the Minister of the Interior and Security.
During the speeches, Mr. Adelis Yapi, SIPODI West Program Officer, reaffirmed the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and stability through better election security, while the representative of the central administration he thanked the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for its unwavering support for the Ivorian army and, in particular, for the FDS.
2. Security challenges for the 2025 elections in Côte d'Ivoire
Professor Arthur Banga, a specialist in military history and security strategy, opened the first session by addressing the security challenges of the Ivorian electoral context.
He was followed by several other topics addressed by civilian and military experts on: the role of the security forces in securing the elections, maintaining order and democratic crowd management, human rights and electoral security, as well as topics on community policing in the sustainable management of security for peaceful elections.
In this regard, the expert and technical advisor to the Minister of the Interior and Security, Dr. Kama Bérenger, highlighted the community policing approach as a sustainable solution for ensuring violence-free elections. He called for greater involvement of the security forces in communities in order to create a climate of trust between citizens and security institutions.
All the speakers emphasized the professionalism and neutrality of the FDS during the electoral process to ensure the success of their mission.
The seminar also provided an opportunity for FDS officials to discuss with the head of the Independent Electoral Commission's Security Operations Unit, Mr. Brahima Ouattara, the need for better communication between the IEC and FDS headquarters in areas where the elections are particularly important.
Concrete recommendations for better security during the elections
At the end of the seminar, the participating FDS members made recommendations for improving security during the upcoming elections in Côte d'Ivoire.
This seminar marks a significant step forward in preparing the security forces for the upcoming elections. Continuing this training and implementing the recommendations will help ensure a peaceful and transparent environment during the upcoming elections in Côte d'Ivoire.
It should be noted that this seminar is part of a broader project to strengthen the capacities of the defense and security forces (FDS) involved in securing the elections. This program is coming to an end, with the last locality to be visited in April 2025.
