EMBASSY DJIBOUTI REQUESTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001551

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2014
TAGS: KCRM PHUM ASEC ELAB EAID DJ
SUBJECT: EMBASSY DJIBOUTI REQUESTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FOR HOST NATION LAW ENFORCEMENT

REF: SECSTATE 248009

Classified By: Pol/Econ Erinn C. Reed for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request.


2. (C) Djibouti is a small East African nation with a stable
government, but has porous borders and exists amid conflicts
in neighboring Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Djibouti is
thus impacted negatively by the problem of large numbers of
refugees and illegal immigrants. However, little trafficking
in persons can be found.


3. (C) The host government's primary focus is transnational
terrorism and it has been consistently eager and cooperative
in the Global War on Terrorism. Yet, law enforcement
capacity is at best limited. Despite Djibouti's strong will,
identification, investigation, mitigation and prevention of
transnational terrorism and illegal immigration are
especially problematic with the present capacity. Djibouti's
law enforcement is underfunded, suffers a lack of physical
resources, and a distinct absence of professional
development, research, and ability to train future forces.


4. (C) Current anti-terrorism programs address immediate,
short-term training needs, but fail to provide sustainability
and long-term development of law enforcement agencies in
Djibouti. Post holds that proposals aimed at reinforcing
overall capacity are preferable over those aimed at a single
aspect of law enforcement problems in Djibouti. For example,
a program that addresses the porous nature of Djibouti's
borders with long-term sustainable law enforcement training
would prevent transnational terrorism, trafficking in persons
and illegal immigration and would better suit the needs of
the host nation and the interests of the United States.


5. (U) Action request: Post requests that INL consider
developing a program that provides grass roots and academy
training, enhances the long-term capacity of host country
National Security Services, and allows for the professional
development of law enforcement.
RAGSDALE