Law N°2016-886 of 8 November 2016 on the Constitution of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, stipulates that the President of the Republic is the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity and respect for international treaties and agreements.
As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President of the Republic :
- determines and conducts the Nation’s policy ;
- directs and coordinates defence policy
- decides on the preparation and superior conduct of operations.
By decision of the President of the Republic, a Restricted Defence Council (CRD) may be convened in the event of a major crisis. The role of the Defence Select Committee is to examine specific crisis situations that should lead to government decisions in defence matters.
In addition to the President of the Republic, the Defence Select Committee comprises the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of the Interior and any other ministers summoned for matters falling within their remit.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Senior Commander of the National Gendarmerie, the President’s Private Chief of Staff and the Director General of the National Police may take part in the work of this Council if necessary.
Each Minister is responsible for the preparation and execution of defence measures falling within the remit of the department for which he or she is responsible.
The Minister of Defence is responsible, under the authority of the President of the Republic, for the implementation of defence policy and, in particular, for the organisation, management, readiness and mobilisation of all the Armed Forces and the military infrastructure required for them. He assists the President of the Republic in their implementation. He has authority over all the Armed Forces and is responsible for their security.
In order to carry out his duties, the Minister of Defence has a Central Administration and two command bodies, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the High Command of the National Gendarmerie.
The Minister in charge of Defence chairs the Defence Coordination Committee, abbreviated CCD.
The Defence Coordination Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of measures taken by the Government and the Defence Restricted Council.
It includes:
- The Inspector General of the Armed Forces ;
- The Inspector General of the Gendarmerie Nationale ;
- The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces ;
- The Senior Commander of the National Gendarmerie ;
- The Controller General of Defence Administration and Finance ;
- The Chiefs of Staff of the French Army, Air Force and Navy;
- The Head of the Military Cabinet ;
- The Director General of Strategic Affairs, who provides the secretariat.
The Defence Coordination Committee may invite any resource person to take part in its work.
The Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire are military formations specially organised and equipped to :
- Defending the integrity of national territory;
- To protect the vital and strategic interests of the nation in all circumstances and against all forms of aggression;
- Protecting people and property;
- Contribute to regional and international security;
- To take part in actions to promote peace and international law;
The Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire :
- participate in the maintenance of law and order and the performance of public service tasks, under the conditions laid down by decree, at the request of the competent authorities.
- act with respect for human rights, public freedoms, ethics and professional conduct.
The Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire comprise active and reserve army formations.
Active Army formations are made up of :
- The Gendarmerie Nationale :
- The Territorial Gendarmerie ;
- The Mobile Gendarmerie ;
- Specialised Units.
- the Armed Forces :
- Army;
- Air Force;
- the French Navy.
- Special Forces;
- Joint Services.
The reserve formations are designed to reinforce the country’s internal or external defence, should the need arise.
DEPARTEMENT OF DEFENSE
01 BP 12243 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
info@defense.gouv.ci
support@cicg.gouv.ci
Government Call Centre Call 101 (Freephone, 24 hours a day)(+225) 20 21 07 84 / 20 21 86 04
(+225) 20 21 38 28
