The first edition of the “Abidjan Border Forum” was held in Abidjan-Plateau from October 18 to 20, 2022. Chaired and attended by General Vagondo Diomandé, Minister of the Interior and Security, representing Prime Minister Patrick Achi, this first edition provided an opportunity for a wide range of discussions on border management in terms of diplomacy, peace, development, communication, health and legal security.
Representing the Minister of Transport at the forum, Abdoulaye Touré, Secretary General of the Observatoire de la Fluidité des Transports (OFT), gave an important presentation on the free movement of people and goods, and border management by the Comité National de Facilitation du Transport et du Transit Routier Inter-États (CNFT), which is the delegated project manager for the construction of five (5) juxtaposed checkpoints (PCJ) at the Noé, Laléraba, Nigouni, Gbapleu and Prolo borders.
Addressing the audience, Minister Amadou Koné’s aide explained the importance of juxtaposed checkpoints. According to him, the aim of these posts is to bring together border agents from both countries on a single site, with state-of-the-art logistical and technological equipment to make all border formalities more straightforward.
At the end of his speech, Mr. Touré announced the start of construction of related infrastructure for the benefit of the local population. These include health centers, elementary school, housing and the electrification of border villages.
