2009 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and

UNCLAS COTONOU 000019 DEPT FOR DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/AF, AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER BN SUBJECT: 2009 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and Safety Report, Benin REF: 08 STATE 132056 The following paragraphs are keyed to the format detailed in Reftel. ¶1. Overall Crime and Safety Situation: The overall crime rate remained high in Benin during 2008. Petty crime is common in all parts of the country, and violent crime such as armed robberies, murder, and car-jacking are common as well. All of these types of crime occur at a high rate nationwide. Armed robberies are usually committed at knife or machete point, but frequently handguns are used by criminals. One recent crime trend has been the use of home made hunting weapons during the commission of crime. Automatic AK-47 style weapons have been used during car-jacking or organized robberies of businesses and armored cars. During 2008, Beninese criminal and car-jacking gangs continued to display the ability to pre-plan their attacks and occasionally perform surveillance of their intended victims. The remote stretches of Benin's highways are the most common areas for car-jacking late at night. Car-jacking gangs and highway bandits are known to set-up barricades or roadblocks with fallen trees in these areas. Residential break-ins occurred at a low rate in 2008 and did not pose as great a concern as street crime. Precautions against residential crime (alarm systems, residential night guards, window grilles, and security lighting with back-up power) are recommended. In 2008, Cotonou had one of its most violent bank robberies in recent memory. There were two banks located in the Dantokpa Market which were robbed by a large number of heavily armed criminals. The criminals used indiscriminate deadly force to accomplish their goals which resulted in a number of deaths and casualties of police and innocent bystanders. Travelers are advised to avoid driving outside the city after dark, walking around the city after dark, and always to keep car doors locked and windows rolled up. Cotonou's beaches should be avoided due to a high rate of robberies and lack of a police presence. The beach resorts outside of Cotonou are generally safe but experience occasional crime. Travelers are advised to stay near the resorts and not wander into isolated areas. Weapons and drug trafficking through Benin remains common, with more and more weapons and drugs remaining in the country. Crime is expected to remain at a high level and possibly increase due to high poverty levels and poor economic conditions. During 2008, Benin experienced an even greater increase in Nigerian-style fraud involving various old forms of 419 advance-fee fraud and many new forms of Internet based fraud. Nigerian nationals, often residing in Nigeria but attempting to pass themselves off as residing in Benin usually commit these fraud schemes. Beninese criminals are becoming involved at a higher rate as well. Post continues to work closely with the local authorities to identify and arrest those responsible for this type of fraud when possible, but doing so is typically impossible and the majority of these cases are unresolved. One of the newer scams is the "Basic Travel Allowance" scam where a male or female attempts to have money sent to them from an unwitting person located outside of Western Africa so they can obtain a visa to travel to the innocent persons location. The scammers' claim that a basic travel allowance is required so that the US Embassy can issue a visa is false. In general, American citizens receiving an email stating that they have been chosen to receive a large sum of money or requesting that money be sent to some unknown person for any purpose should not answer the email. Instead, contact your local Secrt Service Office in the USA for further direction. There has been an increasing trend of criminals to use the internet to find American companies and place orders to be imported into Benin. The criminals ask for a fee up front. Several small businesses have lost money in such schemes. If a U.S. company exports to Benin, there is no fee expected to be paid up front. Also, use of personal credit cards should be avoided in Benin due to the high rate of fraud. ¶2. Political Violence: In March 2006, Benin held Presidential elections and inaugurated President Boni Yayi in April 2006. The elections were peaceful, transparent, and fair. In March 2007, Benin held nationwide parliamentary elections which were also without incident and considered to be fair. There are no known indigenous groups in Benin opposed to the current government, and no known indigenous terrorist groups. There are no known anti-American terrorist groups present in Benin. There is the possibility for transnational terrorism crossing into Benin due to the very porous borders. Organized crime groups from Togo, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso involved in the transshipment of stolen cars and drugs are present in Benin, presumably because of the lack of port and border security. Beninese gangs are becoming more common and better organized as well. In late December 2006, six Beninese car-jackers escaped from the Cotonou City Prison with relative ease. One of the escapees had previously been arrested for leading the largest car-jacking ring in Benin. The man is also suspected to have ties to Nigerian and Togolese organized crime gangs. Protests and demonstrations over economic conditions and local politics occur on an occasional basis in Benin and have potential for violence by the protestors and/or police. For this reason, all protests should be avoided in Benin, regardless of how peaceful they may appear. During 2008, there were no anti-American demonstrations in Benin. ¶3. Post Specific Concerns: Earthquakes and floods are not a common occurrence in Benin. Poorly maintained roads and vehicles (primarily large trucks) make traveling outside of Cotonou difficult and dangerous during evening hours. Speeding, unpredictable driving habits, and large numbers of unlicensed motorcycle taxis (known as zemijans) pose additional driving hazards. Kidnappings are rare in Benin, especially for westerners. General caution against kidnappings should be exercised in Benin such as maintain a high level of awareness, protecting personal information, using only trusted forms of transportation. Illegal drug trafficking has increased in Benin. In August 2007, Benin witnessed the largest cocaine seizure in its history. Due to the lack of a Benin navy and weak drug enforcement to deter drug traffickers, they are using the Benin beaches more often to bring drugs into the country and ship them elsewhere. Marijuana is present among the local population for consumption and is grown in the central part of Benin. There are no known narco-terrorist groups or drug syndicates present in Benin. ¶4. Police Response: Police in Benin are limited in their ability to respond to complaints or reports of crime from travelers due to a lack of equipment and training. If a foreigner is the victim of a crime, it is necessary to go in person to the nearest police station. Since French is the official language of Benin, it is important to have a French speaker with you when you go to the police station. Americans are advised to contact the US Embassy American Citizen Services Section for assistance. Police patrols are generally lacking and response to crime is often handled by military gendarmes. Some pockets of the police, such as the Financial Crimes Police, have received outside training and assistance and are capable of conducting investigations and making arrests. There have been no known incidents of foreigners being harassed or unfairly detained by Beninese Police. However, westerners arrested and placed in prison often face difficulties in contacting help, and the prisons are poorly maintained, unsafe, overcrowded and poorly operated. American citizens are advised to contact the US Embassy American Citizen Services Section to report any incidents of Police detention or harassment. The US Embassy's phone number and local police telephone numbers are as follows: US Embassy: 229 (Country Code) 21-30-06-50 21-30-05-13 Emergency Police: 117 Fire Department/Ambulance: 118 Central Police Cotonou: 229 (Country Code) 21-30-30-25 21-30-20-11 ¶5. Medical Response: Health Care in Benin is not up to western standards. Most hospitals and medical clinics do not have the supplies and/or the necessary drugs for treating major illnesses and injuries. The Embassy does not make referrals; however, it can provide a list of local medical facilities that enjoy a good reputation. All visitors should carry the appropriate amount of medication with them during their travel to Benin as many prescription medications are not available. Valid medical insurance is recommended as well, however most medical facilities require payment in cash at time of discharge. ¶6. Travel precautions - tips on how to avoid becoming a victim: Upon arrival in Benin, it is recommended to register with the Embassy if you intend to stay for an extended period of time. Photography: Photographing any Government building or military installation in Benin is strictly prohibited. It is recommended that visitors refrain from taking pictures of anything other than the local scenery and Beninese citizens who have given their permission. Travelers are also discouraged from displaying cameras or camcorders due to the prevalence of street crime. Visitors caught taking inappropriate photographs risk arrest/detention and will have their camera and film confiscated by Beninese Police or Military Gendarmes. Public Transportation: Travelers are advised to exercise caution when using public taxis and the use of zemijans (motorcycle taxis) should be avoided if possible for safety reasons. If a motorcycle taxi is used, a helmet should always be worn. Automobile taxis are recommended. When using a taxi, settle on a price before getting in, and make sure that the taxi is clearly marked as such. Never share a taxi with unknown persons. This is often the pretense for a robbery. Driving around Benin: While driving in Benin, visitors should keep their windows rolled up and the doors locked at all times. A high rate of caution should be exercised while stopped at intersections, and street vendors should not be patronized while riding in a vehicle. Many Beninese drivers do not obey traffic laws or traffic signs; this is especially true of the zemijans. Therefore, it is important that visitors drive defensively at all times. Drivers should always exercise patience and wear their seat belts. In light of the increased numbers of car-jackings in and around Benin, visitors should not drive outside the city after dark. In addition, extreme care should be taken when driving inside the city after dark. Should a visitor become the victim of a car-jacking, resisting is extremely dangerous. Most car-jackers are well armed and willing to use their weapon. Victims who have been injured or killed were reportedly incompliant with the assailant's demands. Vehicle Accidents: By law, drivers involved in an accident are required to leave their vehicle in place and notify the National Police. The Police will be dispatched to the scene to write up an accident report. However, large crowds form quickly in Benin. While most people are just curious onlookers, the driver should be aware of the crowd's mood and remain inside their vehicle. If the crowd starts to become hostile, it is recommended to depart the area and go to the nearest police station or to somewhere safe. Hotel Issues: As in any location overseas, visitors residing in hotels in Benin should never leave valuables in their rooms. Due to high rates of credit card fraud, pay your bill in cash, if possible. Avoid using personal credit cards in Benin, if possible. Carry your passport with you at all times. Do not walk on the beaches in Cotonou at any time or around town during the early morning or late evening hours. If you do become a victim of crime, do not resist. Since most assailants carry a weapon, resisting could result in serious injury. Areas To Be Avoided: As mentioned previously, avoid the beaches of Cotonou due to the presence of criminals and a lack of Police patrols. In Cotonou, avoid the area surrounding the football/soccer stadium especially after dark and the neighborhood surrounding the large mosque in Cotonou. ¶7. For Further Information: For any assistance required during your stay in Benin, please contact the following sections at the US Embassy in Cotonou, Benin: Embassy Operator: (229) 21-30-06-50 Regional Security Office: Extension 4218 Consular Affairs: Extension 4777 Political/Econ: Extension 4206 Medical Unit: Extension 4248 ¶8. Cotonou does not have an OSAC Country Council at this time. BROWN