PUBLIC LAW 114–266—DEC. 14, 2016 

BOKO HARAM REGIONAL THREAT STRATEGY 


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130 STAT. 1382 PUBLIC LAW 114–266—DEC. 14, 2016 

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), 

Human rights. 

Deadline. 

Nigeria. 

Dec. 14, 2016 

[S. 1632] 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–266—DEC. 14, 2016 130 STAT. 1383 

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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130 STAT. 1384 PUBLIC LAW 114–266—DEC. 14, 2016 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1632: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 

Vol. 161 (2015): Sept. 22, considered and passed Senate. 

Vol. 162 (2016): Dec. 7, considered and passed House. 

Æ 

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of

Representatives. 

Approved December 14, 2016. 


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