A bilateral military agreement between the United States and Burkina Faso became effective on August 6, 2008 following the official signing by United States Marine Major General Anthony Jackson, Director of Operations and Logistics, U.S. Africa Command, and Burkina Faso Army Chief of Staff Brigadier General Ali Traore.
The Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) allows the two nations to exchange logistics support, supplies, and services such as food, medical supplies, and transportation. It is designed to simplify the exchange process and make it easier for military from both nations to work collaboratively.
By simplifying the logistics exchange process, the U.S. Africa Command will have greater flexibility in providing support to Burkina Faso during training and exercises.
The agreement was signed in two stages at the Ministry of Defense in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on July 16 and at the headquarters of the U.S. Africa Command here on August 6.
"Today we have made a significant headway in bringing our two nations closer together and we intend to use the ACSA as a tool to strengthen the bond," said Traore at the signing ceremony in Burkina Faso.
Weeks later, in Stuttgart, Germany, Jackson reiterated the importance of this agreement for the U.S. Africa Command, which offers the U.S. and Burkina Faso militaries greater flexibility as they work cooperatively towards common goals and objectives.