Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, and resource and information management operations of Embassy Ouagadougou.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 10 recommendations to Embassy Ouagadougou. In its comments on the draft report, Embassy Ouagadougou concurred with all 10 recommendations. OIG considers all 10 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal written response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
What OIG Found
- The Ambassador and the Deputy Chief of Mission established clearly defined goals and priorities for Embassy Ouagadougou. They effectively employed a wide variety of mechanisms to communicate and coordinate their activities with the Government of Burkina Faso.
- In meeting advocacy and reporting responsibilities, the embassy reported on the growing extremist threat in northern Burkina Faso as well as on allegations of increased human rights violations. The embassy also continued to press the Burkina Faso Government to address human rights violations even as government forces faced serious terrorist activity.
- A 13-month staffing gap in the General Services Officer position was a root cause of several internal control deficiencies identified in the Management Section.
- Information management operations and services generally complied with Department of State policies and guidance but lacked inventory control procedures for network user accounts and information technology equipment.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Ouagadougou should retire its official records in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Ouagadougou should comply with applicable Department overseas motor vehicle safety standards for chauffeurs and incidental drivers under chief of mission authority.
Embassy Ouagadougou, in coordination with the Bureau of Administration, should dispose of excess vehicles according to Department guidelines and put proceeds of sales to better use.
Embassy Ouagadougou should implement controls to verify the integrity of data entered into the Fleet Management Information System, in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Ouagadougou should conduct annual reviews of its blanket purchase agreements in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Ouagadougou should implement procedures to conduct acquisition and property management in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Ouagadougou, in coordination with the Regional Procurement Support Office Frankfurt and the Bureau of Administration, should comply with Department contracting officer's representative program standards.
Embassy Ouagadougou should comply with Department standards for managing classified and unclassified network user accounts for departing employees.
Embassy Ouagadougou should implement inventory control procedures for its information technology equipment in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Ouagadougou should terminate personal internet and television support to American embassy employees in accordance with Department standards.