[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-266
114th Congress

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),

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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

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Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives.

Approved December 14, 2016.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1632:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 161 (2015):
Sept. 22, considered and passed
Senate.
Vol. 162 (2016):
Dec. 7, considered and passed House.