Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OUAGADOUGOU862
2009-09-29 11:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ouagadougou
Cable title:  

BURKINA FASO: POLICE CADET RIOTERS RECEIVE

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM UV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ3420
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHOU #0862 2721124
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADXBAB1E9 BDI1991-623)
P 291124Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5595
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000862 

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (GARBLED TEXT)

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: POLICE CADET RIOTERS RECEIVE
SANCTIONS.

REF: OUAGADOUGOU 813
UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000862

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (GARBLED TEXT)

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: POLICE CADET RIOTERS RECEIVE
SANCTIONS.

REF: OUAGADOUGOU 813

1.( U) SUMMARY: The Burkinabe Minister of Security has
already taken concrete action to punish the police cadets
involved in the September 21st riots in Ouagadougou. Students
have been dismissed from the police academy and the payment
of salaries and scholarships has been suspended while an
investigation proceeds. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) On September 21st several hundred police cadets,
intent on avenging a skirmish between fellow classmates and
local youths, took to the streets of Ouagadougou and
ransacked bars and businesses and beat-up on bystanders for
two hours before being corralled back to their barracks by
police and gendarmes (Reftel.) Minister of Security Emile
Ouedraogo immediately issued a stern condemnation of the
cadets, actions, promised a thorough investigation, and said
all those involved would be punished both by the school,s
internal code of conduct, but also to the fullest extent of
the law.


3. (U) In a public communique dated September 25th, the
Minister of Security announced the first series of punitive
measures taken against the police school cadets. They
include:

- Exclusion, until further notice, of the entire 950 person
police cadet class of 2008-2010.
- Creation of an investigative commission to determine who
did what, and how much damage was inflicted.
- Suspension of all salaries for the 2008-2010 cadets, in
order to use that money for repair costs and compensation of
victims.
- Judicial pursuit of those the investigative commission
finds guilty of violence and destruction of property.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: The Burkinabe appear to be surprised and
relieved at the swiftness of the Minister of Security,s
response to the riots. Editorials in the Burkinabe
newspapers have even applauded the "difficult and courageous"
decision offering that this will help restore the
population,s faith in state institutions and in the police.
Some journalists have mused that perhaps this is a testament
to a new era, one in which impunity for the police and
military no longer exists. While it is doubtful that these
events have ushered in a completely new era of
accountability, it is evident that the GOBF made a clear
effort to communicate effectively with the population,
articulate its concerns and promise redress. In addition,
the Ministry of Security moved quickly to address the rioters
behavior and begin investigative proceedings immediately,
giving at least an appearance of equity before the law. END
COMMENT.
LAEUCHLI