The Gabonese capital, Libreville, is hosting the final planning conference for the GEX26 military exercise from September 22 to 24, 2026. The conference, held at the Aïssat camp, brings together the armed forces of Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, and France to finalize preparations for the exercise, which is set to take place in November in both Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire. The exercise aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the participating forces.
The conference was officially opened by General Jean-Bedel Boucka, Chief of Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces, on behalf of the Minister of State for National Defense. General Boucka emphasized the importance of the exercise in preparing troops to respond to crises and contain armed threats. He stated that the exercise would enable the forces to master operational skills and techniques essential for crisis management.
The GEX26 exercise is a major military operation that involves the validation of training scenarios in the terrestrial, maritime, and air domains. The conference aims to finalize the contributions of personnel and equipment, elaborate on the legal framework for technical agreements, and harmonize procedures to ensure seamless interoperability among the participating forces. This is the third edition of the exercise, following previous editions in France and Côte d'Ivoire.
Colonel-major Kouassi-Kouassi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ivoirian Army, highlighted the significance of GEX26 in the current regional security landscape. He noted that the exercise demonstrates the commitment of the participating countries to consolidating their interoperability, sharing experiences, and developing collective capabilities to respond to crisis situations.
French General Pierre Wenker, Deputy Commander for Africa, reaffirmed France's commitment to its African partners and the importance of cooperation in addressing common security challenges. The exercise is seen as an opportunity for the participating countries to strengthen their military cooperation and enhance their ability to respond to emerging threats.
The GEX26 exercise is part of a broader effort to enhance regional security and stability in West Africa. The participating countries are working together to address common security challenges, including terrorism, piracy, and other forms of transnational crime. The exercise is expected to contribute to the development of a more robust and effective regional security architecture.
The final planning conference for GEX26 is a critical step in the preparation for the exercise. The participating countries are working together to ensure that the exercise is a success and that it contributes to the enhancement of regional security and stability. The exercise is set to take place in November 2026, and it is expected to involve a range of military activities, including training exercises and joint operations.
Key points
- The GEX26 exercise aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the participating forces and promote regional security and stability in West Africa.
