GOB SIGNS WJEI LOA

UNCLAS COTONOU 000116 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W DBANKS AND INL/AAE SSNYDER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL EAID KWMN BN SUBJECT: GOB SIGNS WJEI LOA REF: (A) SNYDER/HAHN E-MAIL 02/07/2008 (B) STATE 10514 (C) 07 STATE 64896 ¶1. Summary: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moussa Okanla, and the Ambassador signed the Letter of Agreement (LOA),for Benin's Women's Justice and Empowerment Initiative (WJEI) program at a ceremony on February 14, 2008. During the ceremony, the Ambassador reiterated the USG's commitment to assisting Benin in fighting gender-based violence while Okanla pledged the GOB would successfully implement the Initiative. The ceremony, held as part of the preparations for the visit of President Bush on February 16, provided an excellent opportunity to highlight U.S. - Benin cooperation. End Summary. ¶2. On February 14, Moussa Okanla, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined the Ambassador in signing the WJEI LOA in a brief ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under the WJEI LOA (Ref C) the Department of Justice (DOJ) will provide a resident legal adviser to work with the Ministry of Justice to improve the ability of prosecutors and judges to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate gender-based crimes. The DOJ will also provide a senior law enforcement advisor to assist the Benin National Police and Gendarmes in the investigation and prosecution of gender-based crimes. ¶3. In her speech at the signing ceremony, the Ambassador underscored the United States' will to fight gender-based violence globally. The Ambassador explained that the WJEI is a personal initiative of President Bush to increase the government's capacity to act against those who abuse women. Okanla acknowledged that the WJEI would foster the protection of women's rights and increase the number of prosecutions of those who abuse women. Okanla expressed the GOB's gratitude to President Bush for implementing the WJEI, and pledged the GOB would observe its obligations under the LOA. ¶4. The event was attended by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Family, Women, and Children, and the Ministry of National Defense. The latter are the three major ministries involved in the implementation of the project. Representatives of NGOs active in the promotion of women's rights also attended the ceremony, which was well covered by the media. BROWN