Chargé Attends the Opening Ceremony of ACOTA Training in Ouagadougou, March 17, 2008

Chargé d'Affairs Joann Lockard joined the Burkinabè Defense Chiefs and several other senior level officials at Camp Guillaume in Ouagadougou to celebrate the opening of ACOTA (Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance) Peace Keeping Training for Burkina Faso’s third battalion, named "Dèoural".   As with the other two ACOTA-trained Battalions, the Dèoural Battalion is composed of 750 troops who will be trained for future peace keeping operations.  In her remarks, Chargé Lockard emphasized the commitment of Burkina Faso’s military to participate in peace keeping efforts and praised them for their high level of competency and professionalism.  During the eight weeks of training, ACOTA trainers will first instruct a group of Burkinabe soldiers to be trainers.  Then, these trainers will conduct various soldier skills training courses, such as small unit tactics, human rights, interaction with civil society, international law, and leadership.  Chargé Lockard thanked the Government of Burkina Faso for the positive role it is playing in the region on behalf of Ambassador Jeanine Jackson.