A five-day Trainer of Trainers (ToT) course on Stockpile Management opened on Monday, 4 December 2023 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The course is part of interventions to respond to the increasing diversions of weapon stockpiles from national armories across West Africa and which are increasingly being intercepted by terrorist groups who also employ the use of improvised explosive devices to perpetuate violent attacks in the sub-region.
Following from this, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in partnership with the Government of Japan (GoJ) and with the technical support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are running a one-year project titled Preventing violent extremism, radicalization and small arms proliferation in the Sahel and adjacent coastal countries in West Africa.
The ToT on stockpile management seeks to equip 15 personnel entrusted with arms and ammunitions management responsibilities in Cote d’Ivoire not just with knowledge but with the ability to impart critical skills essential for ensuring the security of weapon stockpiles and preventing insurgencies from taking root in the country. The course introduces participants to an understanding of arms and ammunition management and will fortify the capacity of trainees in planning and executing stockpile management activities.
By honing the expertise of state security personnel, the program endeavors to address the pressing security challenges stemming from the proliferation of SALW in the region, offering strategic knowledge and skills to fortify efforts in safeguarding against potential threats. This initiative is crucial in strengthening Cote d’Ivoire’s ability to effectively manage its arms repositories and mitigate the risks associated with unauthorized access or potential insurgencies, contributing significantly to regional stability and security enhancement efforts in West Africa.
As part of the project initiative, two motorbikes were presented to the Force de recherche et d’assistance de police de la Police (FRAP), within the Nationale Police of Cote d’Ivoire. This contribution was aimed at enhancing and fortifying their operational capacities and activities. The provision of this motorbike is anticipated to significantly support the FRAP in their efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen security measures within the nation.
