A French general expressed support for U.S.-French security cooperation efforts in Africa during a visit to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) on July 8, 2009 where he provided an overview of France's security activities in Africa. The stakes are high," said General Emmanuel Beth of France, director of the Defense and Security Cooperation Directorate (DSCD) in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in studying African security challenges and developing sustainable solutions. He said he was heartened by constructive U.S.-French efforts already underway and looks forward to continued cooperation. Beth announced that France is setting a new framework for security and defense cooperation. The new approach merges military and police aspects in developing security solutions that are bolstered by collaboration with Africa, Europe, and the United States. Transitioning to specific efforts, Beth described DSCD's major initiatives in Africa, singling out training as France's primary focus. Heeding African leaders' desire to see security training take place on the continent, France is supporting 14 training centers, mainly in West and Central Africa. To date, the centers have trained military officers, police, civilian authorities, and NGOs, as well as providing experts to advise on topics of organization, doctrine, logistics, infrastructure, and equipment. Beth focused on three of the training centers outlining their operations and successes: Inaugurated April 2007, the Bamako Peacekeeping Training Center in Mali supports the African Peace and Security Architecture and the Africa Standby Force, graduating 700 officers each year. In Benin, the Center for Advanced Training in Post- Conflict Demining and Decontamination (CPADD) at Ouidah is becoming a very efficient multinational training institution with the support of Belgium and Japan. In Cameroon, the planned International Security Forces Training School (EIFORCES) in Awae could train contingents or senior police officers and gendarmerie forces for peacekeeping operations with the intention to graduate 1,000 per year. Planning is underway for additional training centers with sights set on boosting security in the Sahel and the maritime domain. Projected maritime security centers will provide training at both the military and civilian levels and will focus on the strategically important Gulfs of Guinea and Aden. DSCD hopes to promote a secure maritime theater off African coasts while reinforcing sea sovereignty. In the Sahel, DSCD aims to address threats of non-governed spaces, drug and human trafficking, and terrorism. France's training centers and broader security efforts in Africa operate in partnership with a number of countries and international organizations. Partners include the African Union, the EU mission in Addis Ababa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the United States among others. In addition to training, DSCD addresses issues of security development with attention paid to the reintegration of former militants into professional militaries and civil society and the rebuilding of infrastructure, schools, and medical centers in post-conflict arenas. Further efforts include the enhancement of peace and security structures and supporting the Reinforcement of African Peacekeeping Capacities (RECAMP). Ambassador (ret.) William M. Bellamy, Africa Center Director, praised security cooperation between France and the United States. He noted that a high ranking French officer is continually on the Africa Center leadership team representing the Center's ongoing intent to foster security cooperation with France in Africa. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies supports the development of U.S. strategic policy towards Africa by providing high quality, relevant academic programs, fostering awareness of and dialogue on U.S. strategic priorities and African security issues, building networks of African, American, European and international military and civilian leaders, assisting U.S. policymakers in formulating effective African policy, and articulating African perspectives to U.S. policymakers.