Francophone Africa Rises to Chemical Threats with Advanced Emergency Response Training
Written By Maxine Ansah
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In a significant stride toward regional security and chemical threat preparedness, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) recently held its first specialised training course in francophone Africa focused on the investigation of chemical incidents. Hosted in Jacqueville, Côte d’Ivoire, from 4 to 11 April 2025, the “Advanced Course on the Investigation of Chemical Incidents for French-Speaking Member States in Africa” marked a milestone in regional capacity-building.
Delivered in collaboration with the Académie Internationale de Lutte Contre le Terrorisme (AILCT) and backed by Côte d’Ivoire’s National Authority, the course targeted first responders from Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal and Togo. A total of 15 participants took part in the intensive training, aimed at enhancing their ability to document scenes and collect evidence in the aftermath of chemical incidents, whether involving toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) or chemical warfare agents (CWAs).
Designed to simulate real-world emergencies, the hands-on training pushed participants to apply technical skills and critical thinking under pressure. “Conducting an investigation in the event of chemical crime means playing a smooth game with all the components of the investigation: equipment, environment, colleagues and collaborators,” noted Ms Sika Dossim, a Pharmacist Biologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Kara in Togo, who attended the course. Her words captured the essence of the training’s holistic approach — integrating coordination, preparedness and scientific rigour.
The initiative is part of the sixth phase of the OPCW’s Africa Programme. This strategic effort, launched in 2007, supports African States Parties in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). This latest course, funded by the French government, responds to direct requests from francophone African countries seeking to strengthen their chemical emergency preparedness and investigative capacity.
According to the OPCW, the Africa Programme supports Member States in areas such as chemical safety and security, emergency response, technical training and legislative development. By promoting regional collaboration, it aims to prevent the misuse of toxic substances and ensure compliance with international disarmament norms.
This training comes at a crucial time. While chemical weapons have been banned under international law since the CWC came into force in 1997, concerns about the potential use of TICs and CWAs, particularly by non-state actors, remain. The OPCW’s work is critical in maintaining global vigilance. In 2023, the organisation confirmed the irreversible destruction of all 72,304 metric tonnes of declared chemical weapons stockpiles. This reinforced its position as a key actor in global peace and security.
With 193 Member States, the OPCW continues to serve as the world’s foremost authority on the elimination of chemical weapons. For its extensive efforts, the organisation was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
As African nations face evolving threats in both industrial and conflict contexts, strengthening national and regional response capabilities has never been more urgent. The recent course in Côte d’Ivoire not only provided practical tools and knowledge but also fostered trust and cooperation across borders. This was a vital step in ensuring that when the unthinkable occurs, Africa is prepared to respond.
