The French Army has launched a training programme for several African militaries in Gabon the Academy for the Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources (APERN).
This initiative forms part of a broader reshaping of France’s military engagement in Africa, now focusing on support and capacity-building following Paris’s decision to close its permanent bases in the region.
Over multiple days, participants engage in field exercises and workshops addressing issues such as illegal gold mining, deforestation, and safeguarding sensitive ecosystems.
The programme involves eleven teams from eight African countries — Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Chad, and Gabon alongside a French team, all guided by Gabonese and French instructors.
The Gabonese Minister of National Defence attended the sessions, highlighting the political significance of environmental security in the region. Organisers stress that the goal extends beyond technical instruction to fostering long-term collaboration between armies facing similar cross-border environmental challenges.
Commander Clavier, Technical Director of APERN, explained: “This partnership is, above all, an exchange an exchange of expertise. At APERN, we have developed strong know-how in combating illegal gold mining, drawing on French experience, particularly in French Guiana through Operation Harpie. We also leverage Gabon’s experience tackling illegal gold mining via Operation Minkebe. Combining these experiences allows us to deliver practical, operational training to our African partners.”