R 211445Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4565

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