BURKINA FASO: PROJECT SUBMISSION TO REINFORCE

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 001002 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MCAP MASS UV SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: PROJECT SUBMISSION TO REINFORCE BORDER AND ROAD SECURITY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In response to the Embassy's request that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) prioritize its assistance needs, the Ministry recently articulated one specific area: the reinforcement of border and road security. The Ministry envisions a project, lasting about 60 months and divided into three major phases. The first would consist of increasing posts on Burkina Faso's external borders, the second would focus on adding vehicles for road-traffic monitoring, and the third augmenting intelligence-gathering capabilities. Post believes that the process of developing the proposed project has focused the MOD on analyzing its priorities and should help us target programs to meet Burkina Faso's security requirements. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) In recent meetings, the Charge d'Affaires suggested to the Minister of Defense that the MOD put its training priorities and assistance needs into a single document. This would help the U.S. plan its military assistance programs, and ensure that our efforts were targeted on the country's own priorities. The Minister agreed to produce such a document, which was then approximately three months in the making. The final product was in the form of a project proposal. ¶3. (SBU) The project proposal focused on one specific area in which US collaboration and assistance could be mutually beneficial: the reinforcement of border security and the monitoring of its road. The proposal suggests a project of about 60 months aimed at establishing a "serene climate within which durable economic development and social peace could progress." The three-phase project would reinforce Burkina Faso's capacity to monitor its borders and respond to security threats, particularly from weapons, narcotics and human trafficking. ¶4. (SBU) Details of the project: Phase 1: Increasing border posts. Establish a number of additional posts along Burkina Faso's borders and establish additional brigades to patrol the borders. This would require infrastructure work (actual construction of buildings) as well as equipment (communication equipment, office equipment and weapons). Phase 2: Securing roads. Increase mobility and response capabilities of security/response teams covering major roads. This would require the acquisition of cars, SUVs and motorcycles. Phase 3: Augmented intelligence gathering. Increase the operational capacity of intelligence gathering units. This would require the purchase of fuel, as well as any other financial incentives to cultivate, obtain and exploit intelligence information. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: Post believes that the process of developing the proposed project has focused the MOD on analyzing its priorities and should help us target programs to meet Burkina Faso's security requirements. In the past we have tended to propose projects, training or leadership development opportunities to Burkina Faso without sufficiently seeking the MOD's input. This document lays out the priorities. Clearly border security and controlling smuggling and trafficking routes through the country are the key priorities for Burkina Faso' Ministry of Defense, and we would concur that these are the areas where U.S. assistance could be the most productive. END COMMENT. LAEUCHLI