Côte d’Ivoire prepares to host US facility to operate drones

ABIDJAN, May 21 (YPA) – Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, is preparing to host an advanced American facility designed for operating unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

This project was announced during a meeting in Abidjan between Ivorian Defense Minister Téné Ibrahima Ouattara, US Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, and Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Michael Langley.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized that the project does not include the establishment of a traditional US military base, but rather is limited to the establishment of a drone facility equipped with the latest technology to support air surveillance efforts and counter security threats.

General Langley initially proposed building this facility in the northern city of Korhogo, but the Ivorian authorities rejected the proposal, considering the site’s proximity to a commercial airport to make the project impractical.

Instead, the government decided to allocate part of the military air base in the central city of Bouaké for the project.

YPA