{"id":14321,"date":"2026-05-01T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/?p=14321"},"modified":"2026-05-07T13:53:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:53:44","slug":"5th-gfoac-p-sahel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/5th-gfoac-p-sahel\/","title":{"rendered":"Strengthening Partnerships in the Sahel Region Through Education: The NDC Conducts the 5th GFOAC-P Sahel"},"content":{"rendered":"

From 27 April to 29 April 2026, the NATO Defense College (NDC) conducted the fifth edition of the Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course for Partners Sahel (GFOAC-P Sahel). Hosted by the G5 Sahel Defence College (G5SDC) in Nouakchott, Mauritania, this course strengthens NATO\u2019s engagement in the Sahel and reaffirms its commitment to regional security and cooperation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen shaking hands with former G5SDC Director Brigadier General Aba Babty El Hadj Ahmed at the G5SDC. <\/p>

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Mauritanian Minster of Defence Mr Hanana Oul Sidi delivering his keynote address.<\/p>

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NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen delivering his keynote address at the GFOAC-P Sahel.<\/p>

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Course Participants listening to the briefings and panel discussions at the G5SDC.<\/p>

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Gift exchange between NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen and Mauritanian Minster of Defence Mr Hanana Oul Sidi.<\/p>

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Opening remarks by the Director of the G5SDC Colonel Ahmed M.M. El Bennani.<\/p>

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BGEN Catherine Bourdes, NDC’s Director Academic Plans, Policy and Engagement closing the ‘Discovery of NATO’ session at the G5SDC.<\/p>

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(Left to right) Mauritanian Minster of Defence Mr Hanana Oul Sidi, Major General Mohamed Cheikh Beidda, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel Ahmed M.M. El Bennani, G5SDC Director, NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen and former G5SDC Director Brigadier General Aba Babty El Hadj Ahmed attending the GFOAC-P Sahel.<\/p>

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Gift exchange between NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen and Colonel Ahmed M.M. Bennani, Director of G5 Sahel Defence College.<\/p>

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Gift exchange NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen and the Commandant of the International War College (ESIG) in Yaound\u00e9 in Cameroun, Brigadier General Nka Val\u00e8re.<\/p>

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Group photo of the participants of the GFOAC-P Sahel at the G5SDC.<\/p>

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As a vital component of the Mediterranean Dialogue partnership, the GFOAC-P Sahel offers academic training and promotes an exchange of perspectives on the Alliance\u2019s strategic imperatives and security priorities. Supported financially by NATO\u2019s Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Package for Mauritania and the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), the programme demonstrates NATO\u2019s ongoing investment in regional stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fifth edition was anchored by two key events, beginning on 27\u201328 April with “D\u00e9couverte de l’OTAN” (Discovery of NATO), which equipped Course Members of the 8th G5SDC promotion with foundational knowledge of the Alliance\u2019s mission, defence posture, and perspectives on the Southern Flank. This was followed on 29 April by a High-Level Seminar convening Mauritanian authorities, NATO partners (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt) and several non-NATO entities, including Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Chad, and Cameroon. The GFOAC-P Sahel serves a dual purpose: first, to reinforce NATO\u2019s presence in the Sahel as part of the Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan, and second, to advance the institutional capabilities of the G5SDC by hosting strategic-level coursework directly within its own premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expert-led lectures on NATO and the contemporary security environment facilitated an insightful exchange of perspectives regarding a region vital to Euro-Atlantic stability. Set against a backdrop of heightened regional volatility, the program featured high-level sessions and panel discussions led by specialists from various NATO entities, including NATO Strategic Direction South-HUB, ACT, and NATO HQ, alongside the Mauritanian Institute for Strategic Studies and the Ministry of Defence of Mauritania. The dialogues and discussions addressed pivotal strategic frameworks, such as the Alliance\u2019s Concept for Deterrence and Defence, and explored NATO\u2019s response to evolving terrorist threats as well as the complexities of strategic competition and military cooperation across the Sahel and the Southern Flank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 29 April, the GFOAC-P Sahel shifted focus to the Sahel within NATO\u2019s security environment, featuring keynote addresses delivered in person and through digital participation by distinguished speakers. These included NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen, Director of the G5SDC Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud Bennani, NATO Secretary General\u2019s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood Mr. Javier Colomina, and the Mauritanian Minister of Defence, Hanana Ould Sidi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their addresses, the speakers emphasized that cooperative security remains one of NATO\u2019s three core tasks, highlighting dialogue with a wide range of countries and international organizations as a vital component of the Alliance. The extensive network of partnerships enhances security beyond the Euro-Atlantic area and facilitates cooperation on global challenges. NATO\u2019s adoption of the Action Plan for the Southern Neighbourhood signals a deeper commitment to the Sahel. As current threats are cumulative and mutually reinforcing, they directly impact collective security, making strong, enduring partnerships like the one with Mauritania essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the Defence Capacity Building package, NATO delivers multiple key initiatives of practical cooperation with Mauritania. Central to the DCB military education initiative is the successful collaboration between the G5SDC and the NDC, with the GFOAC-P Sahel serving as a primary example. Beyond offering an insightful seminar, this strategic tool facilitates shared assessments and the development of a common vision. It provides a unique forum for dialogue between Mauritania, regional partners, and the Alliance, proving that academic cooperation remains a vital asset for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NDC Commandant utilized his attendance at the GFOAC-P Sahel to engage in high-level bilateral meetings with Colonel Bennani, Director of the G5SDC, Mr Hanana Oul Sidi, of the Mauritanian Minister of Defence and the Commandant of the International War College (ESIG) in Yaound\u00e9 in Cameroun, Brigadier General Nka Val\u00e8re.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By equipping future leaders with a deeper understanding of security dynamics and fostering in-depth dialogue, the GFOAC-P Sahel reinforces the enduring partnership between NATO and its partners in the Sahel. This initiative serves as a testament to a shared commitment to lasting stability and collective resilience. Direct engagement and shared insights allow for a better understanding of the challenges facing the Southern Flank and help identify pathways for mutually beneficial cooperation. The tangible partnership with Mauritania is further evidenced by their Course Members participating in the NDC\u2019s Senior Course and the NATO Regional Cooperation Course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NDC Public Affairs Office<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Prepared by Ms Britt Melinga, NLD C)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From 27 April to 29 April 2026, the NATO Defense College (NDC) conducted the fifth edition of the<\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":14322,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[185,3],"tags":[196,178,30],"post_badge":[],"class_list":["post-14321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-courses","category-news","tag-engagement","tag-gfoac-p","tag-news","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Lisa Schumacher","author_link":""},"modified_by":"NDC Public Affairs Office","author_meta":{"display_name":"Lisa Schumacher","author_link":""},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-445x250.jpg","featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1.jpg",2048,1152,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-445x250.jpg",445,250,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-768x432.jpg",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-1024x576.jpg",640,360,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-1536x864.jpg",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1.jpg",2048,1152,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-18x10.jpg",18,10,true],"morenews-featured":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/148-GFOAC-P-Sahel_1-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"category_info":"Courses<\/a> News<\/a>","tag_info":"News","comment_count":0,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Courses<\/a>","News<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Courses<\/span>","News<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["Engagement<\/a>","GFOAC-P<\/a>","News<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Engagement<\/span>","GFOAC-P<\/span>","News<\/span>"]}},"relative_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 3 mois il y a","modified":"Mis \u00e0 jour 2 mois il y a"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le mai 1, 2026","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le mai 7, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le mai 1, 2026 07:30","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le mai 7, 2026 13:53"},"featured_img_caption":"NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen shaking hands with former G5SDC Director Brigadier General Aba Babty El Hadj Ahmed at the G5SDC. 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