[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1632 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1632
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko
Haram.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REGIONAL STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THE THREAT POSED BY BOKO HARAM.
(a) Strategy Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help
enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational
Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the
African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional
threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and
its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of
vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram.
(2) Elements.--At a minimum, the strategy must address the
following elements:
(A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and
restrictions, the institutional capacity, including
military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and
partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to
counter the threat posed by Boko Haram.
(B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian
populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity.
(C) Specific activities through which the United
States Government intends to improve and enhance the
capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat
Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute
human rights abuses by security forces and promote
respect for the rule of law within the military.
(D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as
appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat
Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism,
including efforts to address underlying societal
factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko
Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals.
(E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of
law, including by improving the capacity of the
civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria,
enhancing public safety, and responding to crime
(including gender-based violence), while respecting
human rights and strengthening accountability measures,
including measures to prevent corruption.
(F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the
Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools
such that children are safer and girls seeking an
education are better protected, and to combat gender-
based violence and gender inequality.
(G) Identify and develop mechanisms for
coordinating the implementation of the strategy across
the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria,
regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners.
(H) Identify the resources required to achieve the
strategy's objectives.
(b) Assessment.--The Director of National Intelligence shall
submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment
regarding--
(1) the willingness and capability of the Government of
Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy
developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps,
if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that
would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria
and the governments of its partner countries in the region--
(A) to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and
(B) to address the legitimate grievances of
vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram;
and
(2) significant United States intelligence gaps concerning
Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government
of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy
developed under subsection (a).
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that lack of
economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social
services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and
recruit individuals.
(d) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives.
Passed the Senate September 22, 2015.
Attest:
Secretary.
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1632
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko
Haram.