BURKINA FASO: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000032 DEPT FOR DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/AF, AF/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER ASEC UV SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT REF: 08 STATE 132056 ¶I. General overview of the crime and safety threats facing Americans in country. ¶A. Burkina Faso is a land-locked country in the center of West Africa and is a HIGH crime threat country. Due to its geographic location it is a transit point for criminals, weapons and illegal drugs. Street crime is pervasive in major cities. From November 2008 to January 2009 eleven (11) thefts or attempted thefts were reported against American missionary personnel, Peace Corps volunteers and American teachers. Most of these incidents occurred in the Zone du Bois neighborhood of Ouagadougou where a number of Embassy residences are located. Other high crime areas are near the UN Circle and Avenue Kwame N'Kruma. Most crimes occur after dark and are often perpetrated by one or two individuals on motorbikes. Street criminals will normally carry a knife or other edged weapon in order to cut the strap on bags or backpacks. Thieves do not normally directly threaten victims with their weapon(s) although recent theft attempts have involved the use of knives in an aggressive manner. The roads and highways linking Ouagadougou to other major cities in the country are plagued by frequent highway robberies. These attacks usually occur at night or very early in the morning and almost always involve the use of firearms and/or violence by the bandits. Daytime highway robberies are less frequent but also involve the use of firearms and violence. ¶B. Road conditions on residential streets and highways are hazardous which results in frequent traffic accidents. Laws and rules of the road are seldom followed, bicycles and pedestrians crowd the streets, and roads, which are often one lane in each direction, are congested and hazardous. Police traffic law enforcement and patrols are rare. Corruption is widespread in the local police forces and local police have been known to extort money from travelers. II. Political violence: Burkina Faso is rated MEDIUM for Political Violence. Anti- government demonstrations are not uncommon and have turned violent in the past. Spontaneous, unannounced demonstrations are of major concern as they almost always involve violence and/or looting. Demonstrations by university students have also been violent and have spilled outside the university campus into 
residential neighborhoods in the past. Local police response to unauthorized demonstrations and marches is normally very aggressive which results in participants throwing rocks, burning tires and looting stores on the march route. Authorized demonstrations and marches do not normally involve violence but should be avoided as the potential for violence does exist. There have also been reports of scams involving individuals impersonating police officers, who target foreigners and require them to hand over travel documents and/or money due to their perceived involvement in demonstrations. III. Post specific concerns: Flooding has been a major problem during the rainy season in parts of the country, resulting in blocked and damaged roads and bridges. Industrial accidents are rare; however, transportation and highway accidents are frequent and deadly. Motorist must pay attention to the road conditions at all times and be prepared to slow down and stop in order to avoid roadway obstacles. In Ouagadougou, a great degree of situational awareness is required in downtown areas (the UN Circle and Avenue Kwame N'Kruma) and in other areas frequented by tourists, expats and businessmen. Incidents of street crime are common and sometimes violent. As mentioned above, criminals are usually armed with knives or other edged weapons. Although mail/internet bank fraud scams are fairly common, they are not as pervasive as they are in other parts of West Africa. Kidnappings have not been a problem in Burkina Faso. Illegal drugs are available, however, Burkina Faso is mostly known as a transit state for illegal drugs. There are currently no indications that illegal drugs are connected to narcoterrorism. Burkina Faso is also known as a transit state for illegal weapons. Some of these weapons remain in Burkina Faso and are most often used in highway banditry incidents. IV. Police Response: Local police can be contacted by dialing 17 from any phone. However, the police often fail to respond to emergency calls. Americans should also call the Embassy at the number(s) provided below. If a person is arrested for the commission of a crime, he/she will be subject to Burkina law. Americans should immediately contact the consular section (American Citizens Services) at the US Embassy using the number provided below if they encounter any problems with local police. ¶V. Medical emergencies. Medical facilities and emergency hospital care are very limited, especially in rural areas. There are no U.S.-standard trauma facilities or intensive care units in the country. Some medicines are available through local pharmacies, although travelers requiring specific types of medication, should bring an adequate supply for the duration of their stay in Burkina Faso. A local ambulance can be reached by dialing 18 from any phone. VI. Travel precautions: Many situations can be avoided as long as the traveler takes simple precautions such as maintaining a high level of situational awareness, avoiding poorly lit areas, and being wary of people who approach you. Street venders attempting to sell their wares will often surround travelers. This is occasionally used as a distraction technique for pickpockets and purse-snatchers. These precautions apply throughout Ouagadougou and other large urban areas of the country. VII. How to contact the Embassy. Embassy Switchboard - (226) 50-30-67-23/24/25 Regional Security Officer (RSO) Ext - 4011 Consular Section Ext - 4452 Embassy Fax: (226) 50-31-23-68 After Hours: (226) 50-31-26-60 or (226) 50-31-27-07 VIII. OSAC Country Council: Burkina Faso has an active OSAC Country Council consisting of mainly faith-based organizations and NGOs which meets on a quarterly basis or as needed. OSAC CC Chairman: Pete Brokopp (Christian Missionary Alliance),226-50-36-13-68 (home), 226-76-52-72-99 (mobile),pbrokopp@fasonet.bf. LAEUCHLI