Côte d’Ivoire has agreed to host a U.S. facility dedicated to drone operations, as confirmed during an official meeting in Abidjan between Ivorian Defense Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, U.S. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, and General Michael Langley, commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Both sides emphasized that the project is not a traditional military base, but rather a technological platform designed to operate advanced drones. The primary aim is to enhance aerial surveillance and counter growing security threats in the region.
Initially, General Langley had proposed the city of Korhogo in the north as a potential site, but the Ivorian government rejected the location. Instead, it approved the use of part of an existing air force base in Bouaké, located in the center of the country.
Ambassador Davis Ba praised the growing military partnership between Washington and Abidjan, noting that the collaboration focuses on building technical capacity, operational cooperation, and intelligence sharing.
The initiative is part of a broader U.S. strategy to fill the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of French forces from West Africa and to push back against expanding Russian influence. Moscow has increased its presence in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso through military agreements and support for groups such as Wagner.
Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic location enhances the importance of this cooperation, allowing for better monitoring of militant activity and cross-border threats in neighboring countries.
The Ivorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had initially denied any plans to host a U.S. military base, leading to some ambiguity about the nature of the agreement. However, later reports clarified that the project is limited in scope and focused solely on drone operations.
This cooperation is part of a broader bilateral relationship that includes joint military exercises such as “Flintlock” and U.S. investments totaling $65 million in regional counterterrorism efforts.
As one of West Africa’s most stable nations and its second-largest economy after Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire presents itself as a valuable partner for Washington in the evolving geopolitical landscape involving Russia, China, and Turkey.
