A major step forward for military logistics in northeastern Ivory Coast. On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, a modern maintenance workshop was officially inaugurated in Terguidouo, a town located seven kilometers from Bouna.

This strategic infrastructure was built as part of the DEFEND ( Defence Forces Enabling Development ) Ivory Coast project, a program funded by the European Union and executed by Expertise France .

A high-level inauguration

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place under the chairmanship of Loukou Eric Kouamé, Secretary General of the Bouna Prefecture. The event also brought together:

1. Brigadier General Zoumana Ouattara , commander of the Northern Operational Zone (ZON).
2. Executives from Expertise France.
3. Community leaders and local populations of Terguidouo.

Modernization and responsiveness on the ground

Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, this new technical center is specially calibrated for the repair of light military vehicles.

The main objective: To enable defense and security forces to intervene more quickly and effectively in this highly sensitive border area.

By relocating maintenance directly to the field, the army reduces

drastically reduces the downtime of its vehicles, thereby optimizing the mobility of troops on missions.

A comprehensive and strategic support plan

According to Benoît Cusin, director of security and defense projects for Expertise France in Côte d'Ivoire, this workshop is part of a comprehensive capacity-building strategy. This project extends beyond the workshop itself, encompassing:

1. The delivery of a large stock of motorcycles , tow trucks and troop transport vehicles .
2. In-depth technical training to ensure the operational maintenance of equipment throughout the eastern sector of the northern zone.

The prefectural secretary general, Loukou Eric Kouamé, concluded by praising this highly strategic investment. This development will secure and strengthen the operations of the armed forces in the Bounkani region, a key area in the face of the threat of violent extremism at the borders.