ACCRA CORE EAC MEETING TO DISCUSS REGIONAL THREATS

S E C R E T ACCRA 000164 NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, AF/W, CA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2035 TAGS: ASEC GH PTER SUBJECT: ACCRA CORE EAC MEETING TO DISCUSS REGIONAL THREATS Classified By: A/RSO Jorge Delgado for reasons 1.4 (b,c,d,e,g) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: Embassy Accra convened Post's core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on 2/25/2010 to discuss security matters in the West Africa Region and to assess if any violent and or terrorist activity in the Region could have a spill over affect into Ghana. Of specific concern is the upcoming Togo elections scheduled for 3/4/2010 as well as uncertain political situations in Niger, Cote D,Ivoire, and Nigeria. EAC had no specific threat information or concerns and will continue to monitor activity in the Region and its impact on Ghana. The following EAC members were present at the meeting DCM, RSO, GRPO, DAO, CON, POL, and FPD. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) TOGO: Elections are scheduled for 3/4/2010. Western Diplomats are getting visas to travel to Ghana. EAC agreed that coordination between American Embassy Lome and American Embassy Accra is needed to determine possible evacuation capabilities, capacity, time frame, and assets. POL reports that the French are taking advantage of school holidays to send their people out of Togo. DAO indicates that the French also have a Navy ship off the coast of Lome that can be used for a possible NEO evacuation. Should the situation in Togo deteriorate, refugee inflows to Ghana could be an issue. Consular will address any no double standard policy issues if Embassy Lome is evacuated. NIGERIA: EAC sees President YAR'ADUA'S health and return to country as a cause for political uncertainty in Nigeria. MALI: EAC views Mali,s February 23 release of four AQIM members in exchange for a French hostage as a potential for increased kidnappings in Mali. EAC reports that there is no specific indication that kidnapping would spill over to other countries in the region or to Ghana in particular. NIGER: EAC reports that regular activity at the airport and at the boarder crossings have resumed to normal. COTE D'IVOIRE: Political and civil unrest continue as a new government has not been formed. Information at this point remains fragmented. Electrical shortages in Abidjan are a concern, but most of the political and civil unrest is reported in the areas further west of Abidjan and are not expected to affect Ghana. ¶3. (S/NF) EAC had no specific threat information related to any target or individual in Ghana. RSO reports general security posture at the Embassy is appropriate and will work with other RSOs in the region to coordinate possible evacuation assistance into Ghana. Based on previous EAC recommendations, Consular updated its website with its most current world-wide travel advisory. At this point, there is no West Africa specific travel warning. ¶4. (S/NF) EAC continues to believe that soft targets in the region are vulnerable to attacks by AQIM. EAC believes Post's security posture remains adequate and agrees that appropriate staffing and security measures are in place and commensurate with Post's current threat environment. ¶5. (U) Point of contact for this matter is A/RSO Jorge Delgado. TEITELBAUM