🇨🇮Côte d'IvoireWest Africa
Vice President Koné presides over promotion and epaulet ceremony at Zambakro Armed Forces Academy
via Abidjan.net10 min read
Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, representing the Head of State, Alassane Ouattara, presided over a dual ceremony at the Armed Forces Academy AFA in Zambakro, near Yamoussoukro, on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The event included the naming ceremony for the 57th class of active-duty officer cadets and the epaulet presentation for the 56th class of active-duty officer cadets, as well as the 19th class of medical officer cadets. Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, named the 57th class, comprising 124 cadets 107 from Côte d'Ivoire and 17 from other African countries, the "Merit Class," with Brigadier General Touré Gneckremchin as their patron. The epaulets were awarded to 106 active-duty officer cadets from the graduating 56th "Determination Class" and 20 medical officer cadets from the 19th class, including two women. Vice President Koné elevated these cadets to the rank of officers, presenting them with insignia as Second Lieutenants and Medical Lieutenants. Vice Prime Minister Ouattara urged the new officers to embrace their responsibilities, emphasizing humility in command, firmness in decisions, and discernment in action. He also advised the medical officers to speak the same language as the units they support, remember that soldiers risk their lives trusting in their care, and always honor their Hippocratic Oath. Colonel-Major Ouattara Issouf, Director of the AFA, noted the academy's growing reputation, attracting students from across Africa
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Abidjan.net.
Must ReadFrank R. Garcia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, announced several US commercial agreements in Côte d'Ivoire on July 16, 2026, during his first visit to Africa since taking office. These agreements span the digital, health, education, and logistics sectors. Notably, Starlink has been authorized to provide high-speed internet services throughout Côte d'Ivoire, including rural areas, utilizing American satellite technology. Additionally, the Ivorian government has approved a $170 million project by US company Cybastion, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank. This project will establish a sovereign national data center, a platform for digitizing public services, and an intelligent border surveillance system. Cisco and Cybastion are also collaborating with the US Embassy to enhance the American presence in Côte d'Ivoire's digital sector, creating jobs in both countries. In the health sector, ABD Group reached an agreement for a $293 million healthcare infrastructure project, the first major initiative under a $570 million framework agreement signed in April 2026 between ABD Group and the Ivorian government. This project will construct 55 new primary health centers and 15 new maternity wards in university and regional hospital centers, along with hospital rehabilitation projects, with work commencing in 2026 and lasting 36 months. Furthermore, US technological logistics company NTELX signed a contract with the Grand Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to expand
Must ReadFrank R. Garcia, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, announced several commercial agreements between American companies and Côte d'Ivoire during his first visit to Africa. These agreements span the digital, health, education, and logistics sectors. The Ivorian government has granted final authorization to Starlink to provide high-speed internet services, utilizing American satellite technology to improve connectivity across the country, including rural areas. Additionally, American company Cybastion received approval for a $170 million project, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank, to build a sovereign national data center, develop a public services digitization platform, and deploy an intelligent border surveillance system. Cisco and Cybastion are also collaborating with the US Embassy to strengthen the American digital presence in Côte d'Ivoire and create jobs in both countries. In the health sector, ABD Group reached an agreement for a $293 million healthcare infrastructure project, the first major initiative from a $570 million framework agreement signed in April 2026 between the company and the Ivorian government, covering health, education, and water. For logistics, American company NTELX signed a contract with the Grand Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to deploy truck coordination technology at the Port of Abidjan to improve goods traffic flow. Garcia stated that Starlink's commercial services authorization is a significant step for conn
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