Abidjan – A contingent of 150 elite soldiers, clad in combat fatigues and camouflage gear, advanced with weapons held firmly, their faces obscured by masks, balaclavas, and berets. Led by a commanding coordinator proudly brandishing the red, yellow, and green national flag, with expert sharpshooters positioned to the rear, this special unit marched to the distinctive rhythm of its renowned “Chameleon Step”.
The Republic of Guinea’s Special Forces received thunderous applause from the gathered public, punctuated by standing ovations and crisp military salutes from the official viewing stand, as they paraded during Côte d’Ivoire’s 66th independence anniversary celebrations.
This impressive display, which concluded the foreign contingents’ parade in Abidjan on Friday, August 7, certainly did not go unnoticed. Across national television broadcasts and vibrant social media platforms, journalists, bloggers, and internet users alike lauded the Guinean detachment’s powerful demonstration.
“I am Ivorian, but for me, this was the best parade. Moreover, with such composure, I can’t stop watching it. I even downloaded the video. Thank you, Guinea,” wrote Deloy Dadié, clearly captivated by the performance.
Brice Kouadio echoed this enthusiasm: “The best for me this year: imposing, powerful, fierce, and elegant!”
Constant Silué went further, comparing Guinea’s presentation to that of the Ivorian army: “I enjoyed the Guinean army’s parade more than our own. It’s the first time I’ve seen the Guinean Special Forces. It’s magnificent. Thank you very much, Guinea. You are sincere and true neighbors.”
In Guinea, too, images of the parade sparked a profound sense of pride. For Bory Diallo, “the sub-region is truly impressed by the Guinean army.”
Ibrahima Bah underscored the symbolic significance of this participation: “Cultivating strong relationships with our neighbors is always beneficial. There’s a substantial Guinean community in Côte d’Ivoire, and witnessing our army parade on this significant occasion fills us, especially Guineans residing in this magnificent country, with immense pride.”
A sentiment shared by Sekou Moriba: “Despite everything, when we see them, our hearts are filled with a unique kind of pride.”
This is not the first instance where the Guinean Special Forces have commanded such attention. Since their notable appearance on October 2, 2018, during Guinea’s own Independence Day celebrations, this elite unit has steadily established itself as one of the nation’s most spectacular military formations.
In Abidjan, their presence once again left an indelible impression on all observers.