On Thursday morning, the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE) received a high-level delegation from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The Ivoirian delegation included the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Egypt, Mr. Albert G. Doly; Brigadier Joseph Kouamé, Director General of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy; Dr. Diyara Lassin, Director of the Academy’s Research Institute; along with other accompanying officials. The visit aimed to explore aspects of mutual cooperation in combating radical ideology and strengthening intellectual security.
Dr. Reham Salamah, Executive Director of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), received the delegation and held discussions on aspects of active cooperation between the AOCE and the Academy, particularly in the fields of conducting studies and specialized research, implementing training programs, and building capacities to combat extremist trends.
During the meeting, Dr. Reham highlighted the most significant efforts undertaken by the AOCE to counter and refute extremist discourse. Meanwhile, Dr. Ziyad Farouh, Supervisor of the French Department, delivered a brief overview of the Observatory and outlined the mechanisms of work across its various departments.
For their part, members of the Ivoirian delegation shared their experience in establishing the Strategic Research Institute affiliated with the Academy five years ago. They also highlighted the most significant international events and professional workshops organized by the Institute, which aim to enhance the qualifications of personnel working in the field of counterterrorism across the African continent.
At the end of the meeting, both parties expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation through signing an official memorandum of understanding, aimed at achieving full integration and facilitating the exchange of expertise and information, in a manner that supports international and regional efforts to combat extremism and promote the values of peace.