Cablegate: Ministry of Public Security Expresses Needs For

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P 091445Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1713
INFO RWANDA COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000464

NAIROBI FOR SLUTZ
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BY MAS PGOV
SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY EXPRESSES NEEDS FOR
ELECTION SECURITY

1. Summary: On 1 September, the Burundian Ministry of
Public Security (MSP) held a presentation of its goals and
estimated requirements for security in the upcoming 2010
elections. The Ministry stated it would need between $7.5
and $12.5 million to provide effective security. End
summary.

2. On 1 September, the Burundian government held a meeting
for all members of the "Groupe Sectoriel du Secteur
Securite," its label for all relevant Government of Burundi
and international actors regarding security for the 2010
elections. The meeting was co-chaired by Desiree
Nshimirimana, Chief of Cabinet of the MSP, and Jeanette
Seppen, Charge d,Affaires of the Dutch Embassy, the lead
international partner in security sector reform in Burundi.
As in past meetings of this group, it served as a forum to
request funds from the international community, ostensibly
for use in providing election security.

2. The meeting began with a presentation outlining the plan
for election security. Afterward, Nshimirimana presented a
matrix of proposed costs, and noted that the proposed budget
could not be met by the Burundian government alone. The cost
breakdown was:

Low cost estimate High cost estimate

Training: $440,000 $680,000
Equipment: $1,705,000 $4,649,000
Communications: $1,175,000 $1,427,700
Transportation: $1,608,738 $2,382,238
Lodging: $705,000 $780,000
Meals: $1,080,000 $1,080,000
Power Supply: $260,000 $520,000
Civil Safety: $357,503 $750,006
Workshops/Plans:$300,000 $300,000

TOTAL: $7,631,241 $12,568,944

3. Following the presentation, Thomas Petereit, DCM of the
German Embassy, noted that the Independent National
Commission for Elections (CENI) had estimated only $3.3
million for election security needs; he asked if there had
been any coordination between the MSP and CENI. Nshimirimana
replied that the MSP's estimate and budget request were
separate from CENI's. Jeanette Seppen then stressed a need
for the police to remain non-partisan in the highly-charged
political environment.

4. Post comment: The MSP cost estimate does seem extremely
high and focuses on obtaining equipment*mostly individual
police equipment, vehicles, and radios. It has been a
Ministry of Public Security and Burundian National Police
trend to take every opportunity to request these items. Yet,
Burundian authorities likely lack the capacity and expertise
to effectively use and maintain anything other than basic
individual equipment. The cost estimate also seems to hinge
on a model which does not use much or any of the existing
infrastructure or police capacity to accomplish its goals.
Post also notes that Seppen's expression of concern from the
Dutch about partisanship may be an attempt to pre-empt fears
and critiques by potential donors who are concerned about
giving the ruling party tools which could be used to
influence the election rather than secure it. End comment.

Twining

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