China to reinforce military cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-12-20 20:37:40

China plans to boost military cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire and help with the training of soldiers and security in the West African country, which is recovering from the aftermath of the 2010-2011 post-election violence.

A military source told Xinhua on Thursday that a Chinese delegation headed by colonel Hua Bo held talks on Monday with Cote d'Ivoire's deputy army commander general Firmin Detoh Letho in the economic capital Abidjan.

During a visit to the Gallieni army base in Abidjan, Letho explained to his Chinese guests the state of military preparation and plans to deal with security challenges after a decade of political crisis.

In reply, Hua said his delegation arrived to discuss the partnership between the two armies, with a view of training and reinforcing the capacity of soldiers in Cote d'Ivoire.

He reiterated China's commitment to support the Cote d'Ivoire Republican Forces, which is facing uphill tasks of army reform and security improvement one year after the post-election clashes between ex-president Laurent Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara. More than 3,000 people died in the five-month violence and attacks are still reported occasionally.

Posted in: Military

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