Embassy Highlights
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Handover of Military Equipment
 | | Amb. Brown reviewing the equipment with Military Officials. |
Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown presented an important supply of military materials and equipment to Benin on Friday, July 11, 2008. In her speech, Ambassador Brown noted that at this time when conflicts are increasing and intensifying, it is vital that nations have adequate equipment and material to handle these changing circumstances. This is the third time Benin is the recipient of such materials in the framework of the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program, which is geared at helping African countries enhance their capabilities to effectively take part in peacekeeping operations. The program trains trainers who, in turn, keep training their own troops in peacekeeping skills. The program also furnishes nonweapon equipment, generators, field medical equipment, water purification devices, etc.ACOTA partners include: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Following their ACOTA training, participants are involved in peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, just to name a few.
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Latest Headlines From the
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Capacity Building in Cybercrime Legislation in West and Central Africa
 | | Amb. Brown (2nd from left) delivering her opening remarks. |
U.S. Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown spoke at the opening of a workshop held July 9 – 11, 2008 at the Novotel Orisha in Cotonou. The workshop, sponsored by U.S. Departments of Sate and Justice and the Government of Benin, was aimed at helping African countries implement legislation likely to enforce sanctions against cybercrime. Participants included lawyers and high ranking staff from Police Departments in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Benin.
Cybercrime has become an increasing threat to companies and Governments worldwide. It is very common today to use computer systems, emails, spam and other Internet tricks to lure people and companies into dangerous traps, thus compromising secure international trade and business transactions.
These offences are spreading, mostly in Africa, because there is no legislation to prosecute their authors. According to the Ambassador, this workshop was an opportunity for participants to be introduced to different techniques used to trap people and for participants to be trained to draft effective bills likely to be successful in prosecuting these kinds of crime.
Independence Day Celebration
 | | Amb. Brown & Mr. Gbegnonvi cutting the cake. |
Ambassador Gayleatha B. Brown and the U.S. Embassy Cotonou staff hosted around 1000 Beninese from all walks of life – Government Ministers and Officials, business and civil society leaders, academics, media, etc. – at the Residence for the 4th of July celebration. Ambassador Brown’s remarks focused on the U.S. commitment in supporting democracy and good governance and health and education initiatives. The Ambassador also gave an extensive overview of the development programs conducted by Mission agencies USAID, MCC and Peace Corps, as well as American NGOs and organizations in Benin, thus showcasing the excellent state of cooperation between both countries. She concluded her speech by giving assurances of U.S. engagement in supporting Benin in its efforts for democracy and development.
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