I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8186 
To require a report on the activities and resources required to enhance 
security and economic partnerships between the United States and Afri-
can countries, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 
Mr. BROWN of Maryland introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require a report on the activities and resources required 
to enhance security and economic partnerships between 
the United States and African countries, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Africa Foreign Rela-
tions, International Cooperation, and Assistance Act of 
2020’’ or the ‘‘AFRICA Act of 2020’’. 
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SEC. 2. REPORT ON ENHANCING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN 
THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICAN COUN-
TRIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 1, 2021, the 
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary 
of State, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report on the activities and resources re-
quired to enhance security and economic partnerships be-
tween the United States and African countries. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the infrastructure acces-
sible to the Department of Defense on the continent 
of Africa. 
(2) An identification of the ability of the De-
partment to conduct freedom of movement on the 
continent, including identifying the activities of part-
ners, allies, and other Federal departments and 
agencies that are facilitated by the Department’s 
ability to conduct freedom of movement. 
(3) Recommendations to meet the requirements 
identified in paragraph (2), including— 
(A) dual-use infrastructure projects; 
(B) military construction; 
(C) the acquisition of additional mobility 
capability by African countries or the United 
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States Armed Forces, including strategic air 
lift, tactical air lift, or sealift capability; or 
(D) any other option as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(4) Recommendations to expand and strengthen 
partner and ally capability, including traditional ac-
tivities of the combatant commands, train and equip 
opportunities, partnerships with the National Guard 
and the United States Coast Guard, and multilateral 
contributions. 
(5) Recommendations for enhancing joint exer-
cises and training. 
(6) An analysis of the security, economic, and 
stability benefits of the recommendations identified 
under paragraphs (3) through (5). 
(7)(A) A plan to fully resource United States 
force posture, capabilities, and stability operations, 
including— 
(i) a detailed assessment of the re-
sources required to address the elements 
described in paragraphs (2) through (5), 
including specific cost estimates for rec-
ommended investments or projects; and 
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(ii) a detailed timeline to achieve the 
recommendations described in paragraphs 
(2) through (4). 
(B) The specific cost estimates required by 
subparagraph (A)(i) shall, to the maximum ex-
tent practicable, include the following: 
(i) With respect to procurement ac-
counts— 
(I) amounts displayed by ac-
count, budget activity, line number, 
line item, and line item title; and 
(II) a description of the require-
ments for each such amount. 
(ii) With respect to research, develop-
ment, test, and evaluation accounts— 
(I) amounts displayed by ac-
count, budget activity, line number, 
program element, and program ele-
ment title; and 
(II) a description of the require-
ments for each such amount. 
(iii) With respect to operation and 
maintenance accounts— 
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(I) amounts displayed by account 
title, budget activity title, line num-
ber, and subactivity group title; and 
(II) a description of the specific 
manner in which each such amount 
would be used. 
(iv) With respect to military personnel 
accounts— 
(I) amounts displayed by ac-
count, budget activity, budget sub-
activity, and budget subactivity title; 
and 
(II) a description of the require-
ments for each such amount. 
(v) With respect to each project under 
military construction accounts (including 
unspecified minor military construction 
and amounts for planning and design), the 
country, location, project title, and project 
amount for each fiscal year. 
(vi) With respect to any expenditure 
or proposed appropriation not described in 
clauses (i) through (iv), a level of detail 
equivalent or greater than the level of de-
tail provided in the future-years defense 
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program submitted pursuant to section 
221(a) of title 10, United States Code. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In preparing the report re-
quired under subsection (a), the Secretary shall con-
sider— 
(1) the economic development and stability of 
African countries; 
(2) the strategic and economic value of the rela-
tionships between the United States and African 
countries; 
(3) the military, intelligence, diplomatic, devel-
opmental, and humanitarian efforts of China and 
Russia on the African continent; and 
(4) the ability of the United States, allies, and 
partners to combat violent extremist organizations 
operating in Africa. 
(d) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) 
may be submitted in classified form, but shall include an 
unclassified summary. 
(e) INTERIM BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 
April 15, 2021, the Secretary of Defense (acting through 
the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Under Sec-
retary of Defense (Comptroller), and the Director of Cost 
Assessment and Program Evaluation) and the Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall provide to the congres-
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sional defense committees a joint interim briefing, and any 
written comments the Secretary of Defense and the Chair-
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider necessary, with 
respect to their assessments of the report anticipated to 
be submitted under subsection (a). 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) DUAL-USE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.— 
The term ‘‘dual-use infrastructure projects’’ means 
projects that may be used for either military or civil-
ian purposes. 
(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the congressional defense committees; 
and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 3. EXPANDING THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM 
IN AFRICA. 
The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the 
Chief of the National Guard Bureau, shall seek to build 
partner capacity and interoperability in the United States 
Africa Command area of responsibility through increased 
partnerships with countries on the African continent, mili-
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tary-to-military engagements, and traditional activities of 
the combatant commands. 
Æ 
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