MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY EXPRESSES NEEDS FOR

UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000464 NAIROBI FOR SLUTZ PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BY MAS PGOV SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY EXPRESSES NEEDS FOR ELECTION SECURITY ¶1. Summary: On 1 September, the Burundian Ministry of Public Security (MSP) held a presentation of its goals and estimated requirements for security in the upcoming 2010 elections. The Ministry stated it would need between $7.5 and $12.5 million to provide effective security. End summary. ¶2. On 1 September, the Burundian government held a meeting for all members of the "Groupe Sectoriel du Secteur Securite," its label for all relevant Government of Burundi and international actors regarding security for the 2010 elections. The meeting was co-chaired by Desiree Nshimirimana, Chief of Cabinet of the MSP, and Jeanette Seppen, Charge d,Affaires of the Dutch Embassy, the lead international partner in security sector reform in Burundi. As in past meetings of this group, it served as a forum to request funds from the international community, ostensibly for use in providing election security. ¶2. The meeting began with a presentation outlining the plan for election security. Afterward, Nshimirimana presented a matrix of proposed costs, and noted that the proposed budget could not be met by the Burundian government alone. The cost breakdown was: Low cost estimate High cost estimate Training: $440,000 $680,000 Equipment: $1,705,000 $4,649,000 Communications: $1,175,000 $1,427,700 Transportation: $1,608,738 $2,382,238 Lodging: $705,000 $780,000 Meals: $1,080,000 $1,080,000 Power Supply: $260,000 $520,000 Civil Safety: $357,503 $750,006 Workshops/Plans:$300,000 $300,000 TOTAL: $7,631,241 $12,568,944 ¶3. Following the presentation, Thomas Petereit, DCM of the German Embassy, noted that the Independent National Commission for Elections (CENI) had estimated only $3.3 million for election security needs; he asked if there had been any coordination between the MSP and CENI. Nshimirimana replied that the MSP's estimate and budget request were separate from CENI's. Jeanette Seppen then stressed a need for the police to remain non-partisan in the highly-charged political environment. ¶4. Post comment: The MSP cost estimate does seem extremely high and focuses on obtaining equipment*mostly individual police equipment, vehicles, and radios. It has been a Ministry of Public Security and Burundian National Police trend to take every opportunity to request these items. Yet, Burundian authorities likely lack the capacity and expertise to effectively use and maintain anything other than basic individual equipment. The cost estimate also seems to hinge on a model which does not use much or any of the existing infrastructure or police capacity to accomplish its goals. Post also notes that Seppen's expression of concern from the Dutch about partisanship may be an attempt to pre-empt fears and critiques by potential donors who are concerned about giving the ruling party tools which could be used to influence the election rather than secure it. End comment. Twining