After nearly five decades of presence, the French army has officially returned its firing and military exercise range in Lomo-Nord, located in central Côte d’Ivoire, to the Ivorian army.
The handover, which took place on Tuesday, follows years of growing tension between the French military and local communities due to security concerns.
The tensions escalated on April 19, 2022, when a test explosion resulted in the tragic death of a young cowherd and the loss of approximately sixty oxen.
This incident led to the suspension of shooting exercises at the range and amplified calls for the camp’s closure.
Nanan Amani Kouakou, the village chief of Lomo-Nord, expressed hope that before the Ivorian army begins using the range, a formal agreement will be made with the local customary authorities to ensure that the community’s grievances are addressed.
The handover ceremony included a guided tour of the military premises.