BURKINA FASO: ASSESSING THE NEED FOR INCREASED LAW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OUAGADOUGOU 000098 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/RSA CHRISTOPHER POMMERER INL/AAE FOR AARON ALTON, S/CT, AND DS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SOCI KCRM ASEC XW XY XI UV SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO: ASSESSING THE NEED FOR INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL TRAINING REF: STATE 05448 ¶1. Post provides the following input to reftel request on law enforcement and judicial training needs in Burkina Faso: ¶2. What are the key internal and regional challenges the host government's non-military security apparatus confronts? --Burkina Faso's non-military security faces the following key internal challenges: - Crime networks, including highway banditry and cyber crime, - Drug trafficking, - Smuggling of illegal goods, - Human trafficking, - Proliferation of light weapons, - Demonstrations within the country, - Inadequate security personnel to cover the entire country, - A lack of resources for equipment such as communications equipment, vehicles for local security committees, and the creation of a regional security center. ¶3. What are the host government's non-military sector's capabilities to respond to these challenges? --Non-military security forces in Burkina Faso consist of the National Police and Gendarmes. Burkina Faso has ratified many existing conventions to combat international crime, including terrorism and money laundering. The government has enacted several programs to improve national security including: - Actively recruiting new personnel to government service, - Encouraging synergy between military and security forces, - Creating structures to combat corruption, fraud, and drug trafficking, and - Creating plans to address crisis situations. Security forces in particular have enacted the following programs: - Increasing the security presence in both urban and rural areas, - Creating patrolling networks and neighborhood watch groups, particularly in urban areas, and - Partnerships between citizens and security forces to minimize and resolve conflicts. --The lack of capacity to respond to these challenges covers all security sectors. The government often lacks the technical resources and specialized training it needs to appropriately address crime. Additionally, the judicial and security sectors could benefit from improved collaboration. ¶4. Highlight any specific non-military security or judicial training requirements (basic, mid-level, specialized, institutional) and the intended host government recipient agency. --Burkinabe security and judicial forces would benefit from specialized training in combating banditry, cyber crime, terrorism, and forensics as well as remote surveillance of target sites. In addition, the police and Gendarmes have indicated a need for basic security equipment and computers. ¶5. Is the host government willing to accept and be an effective partner in the implementation of USG assistance? --Burkina Faso is willing to have an effective partnership for the implementation of USG assistance and has already proven to be a willing partner in counterterrorism initiatives. ¶6. What are other efforts by international partners in providing non-military security assistance and/or training to law enforcement and judicial institutions of the host government. --The following programs are ongoing in Burkina Faso: - Reinforcement of government officials' capacity to address security issues (Training conducted by UNICEF). - Donation of vehicles and motorcycles (France, Belgium). ¶7. Is there any type of existing or planned non-military regional training center in your country, operated by either an international partner or host country? --Post has no knowledge of any such training center or plans for creating one. ¶8. For further questions, State may contact Melanie Zimmerman, the Political/Military Officer at (226) 50 30 67 23 (ext. 4087),or ZimmermanMA@state.gov, or Chris Berry, the Regional Security Officer OUAGADOUGO 00000098 002 OF 002 at (226) 50 30 67 23 (ext. 4010),or BerryC@State.gov. JACKSON 1