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Viewing cable 07FREETOWN349, SIERRA LEONE: US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY VISIT

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07FREETOWN349 2007-06-01 16:23 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Freetown
VZCZCXRO2993
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0349/01 1521623
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011623Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1112
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000349 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR EWWT PINS PREL SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY VISIT 
 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Liaison Officer Doug 
Schneider visited Sierra Leone March 26-29 to introduce and 
discuss USCG port security programs and implementation of the 
International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Ship 
and Port Security Program (ISPS) Code with GOSL officials. 
Liaison Officer observed port security measures at the main 
port and determined that minor modifications, including 
improved port perimeter fencing and surveillance and access 
control procedures, were needed for Sierra Leone to continue 
making progress toward implementing port security measures in 
line with ISPS Code. Port officials exhibited a high level of 
cooperation and were receptive to recommendations to improve 
security measures. Shipping company representatives expressed 
dissatisfaction with the level of port security and 
complained about ongoing corruption and cargo tampering. Port 
bureaucracy and high import tariffs are deterrents to 
importing goods through Freetown, and Sierra Leonean traders 
often opt to bring goods in through cheaper regional ports. 
Although Sierra Leonean security forces continue to be 
constrained by limited resources, the port security 
infrastructure appears to be in working condition. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
USCG LIAISON OFFICER ASSESSES SL PORT SECURITY 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2. (SBU) USCG Liaison Officer LCDR Doug Schneider visited 
Sierra Leone March 26-29 to assess implementation of the IMO 
International Ship and Port Security Program (ISPS) Code and 
explain USCG maritime security programs to GOSL officials. 
Schneider found that most authorities with responsibility for 
port security possessed a reasonable knowledge of ISPS but 
were working with limited resources to implement measures to 
bring Sierra Leone in compliance with international maritime 
law. Schneider visited the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and found 
security measures to be mostly acceptable. He observed 
weaknesses in access control and security perimeter fencing 
and surveillance, but felt that those could be corrected with 
minor modifications. Schneider also visited the port 
authority's state-of-the-art scanning facility. The facility 
is privately-operated and scans all incoming and outgoing 
containers charging USD 100 per container. Port officials 
told Schneider that the port handles a relatively low volume 
of approximately 32,000 twenty-foot equivalent container 
units (TEU) annually. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
JMA SLOWLY BUILDS CAPACITY BUT LACKS FUNDING 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) Schneider met with officials from the newly-formed 
Joint Maritime Authority (JMA), the independent government 
authority responsible for implementation and coordination of 
maritime security measures. Currently, the JMA is located in 
the Office of National Security (ONS), and the ONS 
representative is the acting chairperson. The JMA also 
includes representatives from the Republic of Sierra Leone 
Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Sierra 
Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA), the Sierra Leone Port 
Authority, Ministry of Finance, Immigration and Ministry of 
Fisheries and Marine Resources. The JMA does not meet 
regularly and is constrained by limited resources. It has 
parliamentary authorization to review maritime issues and 
draft appropriate legislation. 
 
4. (SBU) JMA members expressed concerns about other West 
African ports, and how the disparity in security measures and 
customs regimes often gives those ports an unfair advantage 
over Sierra Leone and acts as a deterrent to increased cargo 
volume. Referring specifically to Guinea, they said that the 
port in Conakry attracts Sierra Leonean importers due to lax 
security and low import tariffs. Importers transport goods 
through Conakry and smuggle them overland into Sierra Leone 
at considerable savings. JMA members stressed that a regional 
approach should be taken to align port security measures and 
promote tariff harmonization at all West African ports to 
ensure a level playing field. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING AGENCIES ASSESS PORT SECURITY 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
5. (SBU) Schneider also met with commercial shipping agency 
 
FREETOWN 00000349  002 OF 002 
 
 
representatives who expressed concern about port security and 
ongoing corruption and cargo tampering. The representatives 
clearly recognized that limited resources are an impediment 
to improvements in port security. However, they stressed how 
important it is to continue to push the GOSL to privatize the 
port, as it continues to operate at a loss due to its 
inability to generate sufficient revenue, primarily a result 
of stiff competition from other West African ports, low 
volume of cargo traffic, and corruption.  Shipping company 
officials also complained the GOSL continued to use the port 
as a dumping ground for jobs given as political favors. 
However, they commended the job performance of the new Ports 
Authority General Manager (GM). Contracted by the World Bank 
through 2008, the new GM has implemented numerous reforms 
that have improved port operations and increased revenue 
slightly.  The GM, who is Ghanaian, is the former General 
Director for the Port of Ghana. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
LIMITED SECURITY ASSETS IMPEDE PORT PATROLS 
------------------------------------------- 
 
6. (SBU) Port officials told Schneider that the port employs 
its own private 160-person security force (Sierra Leone Port 
Authority Police or SLPAP), which is solely responsible for 
patrolling and port security. The SLPAP does not own any 
patrol boats and must call the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) 
maritime wing if it needs assistance. The maritime wing of 
the SLP owns three small boats but is often slow to respond. 
According to the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO), the 
SLPAP uses its one tugboat and pilot boat sporadically to 
patrol the port. However, shipping company officials disputed 
this assertion saying that they had never seen the SLPAP 
patrolling. 
 
---------------------------- 
USCG INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS 
---------------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Schneider found port officials receptive to his 
recommendations. Speaking with the Port Facility Security 
Officer (PFSO), Schneider explained how port officials could 
improve simple security measures like access control, 
tamper-resistant ID badges and monitoring of perimeter 
fencing. He also encouraged the PFSO to begin conducting 
regular tests and drills to test preparedness. Lastly, he 
emphasized the importance of security cooperation between the 
various offices and departments and encouraged GoSL officials 
to improve interagency communication on port security. 
 
---------------- 
MILITARY MATTERS 
---------------- 
 
8. (SBU) During a meeting with Ministry of Defence officials, 
Deputy Minister of Defence Joe Blell voiced his displeasure 
over a misunderstanding on a boat gifting issue. He said that 
his Ministry had been under the impression that there was a 
possibility of receiving used U.S. military equipment, but 
had not heard anything further on the issue. Schneider 
promised Blell that he would research the issue and respond 
through the Embassy. Blell did thank Liaison Officer for the 
training USCG training teams have provided to the Maritime 
Wing of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
9. (SBU) Despite limited resources, Sierra Leone has made 
notable progress towards implementing maritime security 
measures. Port facility operations have improved over the 
last three to four years, and port and security officials 
appear to be making good use of their existing assets. 
However, insufficient government funding, the port's 
inability to generate sufficient revenue, poor interagency 
cooperation and ongoing corruption continue to impede 
progress. Additionally, Freetown continues to be one of the 
most expensive ports in West Africa. Until the GOSL takes 
appropriate actions to address the difficult port bureaucracy 
and its high tariff regime, it will remain at a competitive 
disadvantage. END COMMENT. 
HULL