Spanish military personnel teach an intelligence course for the Armed Forces of Benin as part of the European Security and Defense Initiative

•  The 12th Mobile Training Team, belonging to the General Command of Ceuta, provides training to its Beninese counterparts at the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Directorate

At the facilities of the Military Intelligence Directorate (DRM) of the Armed Forces of Benin, military personnel from the General Command of Ceuta —under the operational control of the Operations Command— are teaching the intelligence analyst course. Beninese military personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force are participating in the course, which is part of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative for the Gulf of Guinea countries (EU SDI GoG). This activity reinforces Spain's commitment to regional stability and defence cooperation with West African countries.

The course lasts four weeks, during which Beninese officers will receive theoretical and practical instruction aimed at improving their skills in the field of military intelligence analysis. The programme includes doctrinal fundamentals and the use of computer tools to support processing, as well as techniques and procedures for evaluating operational information.

The course content includes the study of advanced analysis techniques, the development of intelligence products, database management, and the development of practical cases based on real and simulated scenarios.

This Spanish military contribution, within the framework of European cooperation, strengthens national capabilities in tactical and strategic intelligence, contributing to the professionalisation of its armed forces.

The overall objective is to consolidate common procedures that facilitate interoperability between European countries and Benin, while strengthening bilateral relations, all in the interests of greater security in a region of vital strategic importance for Europe and, especially, for Spain.

Spain in the EU SDI GoG

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Decision 2023/1599 established this European military cooperation initiative in Africa, which had the explicit support of Spain. Its main objective is to collaborate in the development of armed forces capable of containing and responding to the pressure exerted by armed terrorist groups in the West African countries where this cooperation is established: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin.

Since October 2024, following a European-level planning process, Spain has actively participated in the EU SDI GoG. To date, Spanish military personnel have taught eleven courses in Benin, including the current one, one in Ivory Coast and another in Ghana. The content has been very broad, ranging from logistics and countering improvised explosive devices to signals intelligence, always in line with the interests of the armed forces of the African countries involved.