Top 5 Security Trends in 2007 for the U.S. Private Sector in Africa

Violent crime in major cities, an overall increase in kidnapping in the Niger Delta, and piracy off the Somali coast were among the top security challenges that U.S. businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions confronted in Africa in 2007, according to a year-end analysis by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

“These growing threats are among the many consequences — some good, and some bad — of increased globalization,” said Todd Brown, a Special Agent with the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Executive Director of OSAC.

“As an increasing number of U.S. businesses, academic institutions, and nonprofits expand the scope of their international operations, they must learn to safeguard their facilities and personnel by incorporating security and risk management into their core business practices,” he said.

Brown added, “Those U.S. entities that take proactive security postures, manage their risks, and develop an internal culture of resiliency often are better able to survive and even thrive in riskier environments or in the aftermath of disasters.”

Over the past year, OSAC analysts noted an increase in violent crime in several African cities.

“Fatal carjacking attacks as well as armed robbery of residences, hotels and restaurants have dramatically increased in major cities such as Lagos, Nigeria, Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa,” the analysis said.

For the second year in a row, OSAC cited kidnapping of individuals linked to Western oil operations in the Niger Delta as a significant security issue, noting new trends in this crime. “This past year, the number of kidnappings, both onshore and off-shore, by militant groups and criminal gangs in the Niger Delta increased dramatically,” OSAC said. “In addition to continued threats against oil workers, individuals not affiliated with the petroleum industry — including Nigerian government officials — also were targeted for kidnapping,” OSAC noted. On an encouraging note, one report indicated the rate of kidnappings had slowed considerably in the second half of 2007.

The OSAC analysis also declared international waters near Somalia to be “the preferred venue for maritime pirate attacks. Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft all risk seizure by pirates and having their crews held for ransom, especially in the waters off the Horn of Africa.”

This year-end security review is based on security analyses and informational products developed by OSAC’s regional specialists and delivered to its private-sector members, explained Brown.

“By working with our OSAC partners, sharing our analysis, and pushing out our information, we aim to help the U.S. private sector better prepare for, respond to, and recover from the security challenges that may arise in the coming year,” said Brown.

The following is OSAC’s list of the past year’s top security challenges to the American private sector in Africa.

OSAC’s Top 5 Security Trends for the U.S. Private Sector in Africa

Rising Violent Crime in Major African Cities

Violent crimes occurred at critical levels throughout many African cities. Criminals targeted their victims in vehicles, hotels, and commercial areas. Fatal carjacking attacks as well as armed robbery of residences, hotels and restaurants have dramatically increased in major cities such as Lagos, Nigeria, Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Private sector organizations operating in high-crime environments must implement sufficient measures to protect both property and personnel.

Increased Kidnapping in the Niger Delta

This past year, the number of kidnappings, both on-shore and off-shore, by militant groups and criminal gangs in the Niger Delta increased dramatically compared to 2006. Attackers targeted locally-employed staff of Western-owned oil companies, expatriates, and their families. In addition to continued threats against oil workers, individuals not affiliated with the petroleum industry — including Nigerian government officials — also were targeted for kidnapping. On an encouraging note, one report indicated the rate of kidnappings had slowed considerably in the second half of 2007.

Continued Targeting of Aid Workers in Darfur

Western aid organizations operating in Darfur cite vehicle attacks as the primary security concern for staff and volunteers. Aid workers have been seized and detained in carjackings as criminal assailants seek vehicles. Due to the increase in carjackings and general lawlessness, some organizations have shut down operations or scaled-back and reduced staffing levels in Darfur.

Maritime Pirate Attacks off the Somali Coast

The international waters near Somalia have become the preferred venue for maritime pirate attacks. Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft all risk seizure by pirates and having their crews held for ransom, especially in the waters off the Horn of Africa. Due to the high number of attacks, operators of these vessels have sought to enhance their security by traveling in convoys and maintaining good communications at all times.

Corruption and Financial Fraud

Corruption is a significant concern in many African nations. Africa is home to thirteen of the top thirty most corrupt nations in the world, as rated by the international watchdog organization Transparency International.[1] Uneven distribution of public services and poor compensation for civil servants force many government employees to resort to petty corruption.[2] U.S. companies and organizations experience bribery solicitation at ports of entry, delaying goods shipments and raising costs. Commercial scams and disputes with local business partners can also create legal difficulties for U.S. organizations.[3]

About OSAC

The Overseas Security Advisory Council was established in 1985 as a Federal Advisory Committee with a U.S. Government Charter to promote security cooperation between the U.S. Department of State and American business and private sector interests worldwide.

With a constituency of more than 3,500 U.S. companies and other private-sector organizations with overseas interests, OSAC operates a Web site (www.osac.gov), which offers its members the latest in safety- and security-related information, public announcements, warden messages, travel advisories, significant anniversary dates, terrorist group profiles, country crime and safety reports, special topic reports, foreign press reports, and much more.

The OSAC staff includes international security research specialists dedicated solely to serving the U.S. private sector. Additionally, OSAC has a network of 100 country councils around the world that brings together U.S. embassies and consulates with the local U.S. community to share security information.

OSAC is co-chaired by the Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and a selected representative of the private sector. The OSAC Executive Director is a Diplomatic Security Special Agent.

About The Bureau of Diplomatic Security

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.

In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel investigate passport and visa fraud, conduct personnel security investigations, and protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.