On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, a new milestone was reached in military cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and the United States. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba of the United States and Brigadier General Allah Joseph Kouamé, Director General of the International Academy for Counter Terrorism (AILCT), officially inaugurated two major new logistical assets at the Jacqueville site: an all-terrain (4x4) training track and a transport bus.

A strategic investment for elite training

Funded to the tune of 900 million CFA francs by the American government and carried out by the NGE AEI Gabon consortium, the new 4x4 track is a unique infrastructure of its kind on the African continent.

1. Objective: To enable special forces and intervention units to train in extreme conditions, as close as possible to the realities on the ground.
2. Schedule: Starting next June, an intensive three-week session will inaugurate this new technical course.
3. Logistics: The addition of a bus will optimize the movement of experts and trainees, ensuring better fluidity between the different hubs of the Academy.

A partnership based on shared security

In her address, Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba reaffirmed that the stability of Côte d'Ivoire is linked to the security of the United States. By serving on the AILCT Board of Directors, Washington confirms its commitment to making this center a global hub of excellence .

"Our priority is to make America safer and more prosperous, and for that, we need strong partners like Ivory Coast," the diplomat stressed.

General Kouamé, for his part, praised the "exemplary cooperation," recalling that these infrastructures are part of the continuation of the Pink Lock military exercise, aimed at building sustainable defense capabilities.

About the AILCT

Founded in 2019 by Côte d'Ivoire and France, the AICT is a direct response to the terrorist threat in West Africa. It is based on three pillars:

1. Operational field training .
2. Inter-ministerial cooperation for a comprehensive response.
3. Strategic research to anticipate new forms of threats.