Vice President Koné presides over promotion and epaulet ceremony at Zambakro Armed Forces Academy

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