IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 147 
Supporting efforts to bring an end to violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, 
and urging the Government of Nigeria to conduct transparent, peaceful, 
and credible elections. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 4, 2015 
Ms. WILSON of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting efforts to bring an end to violence perpetrated 
by Boko Haram, and urging the Government of Nigeria 
to conduct transparent, peaceful, and credible elections. 
Whereas Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa, with 
the largest economy; 
Whereas Nigeria is currently confronted with threats to inter-
nal security by terrorists, insurgents, and communal vio-
lence that have caused considerable population displace-
ment, and at the same time must administer transparent 
and peaceful elections with a credible outcome; 
Whereas the government and those who aspire to hold office 
in Nigeria must demonstrate the political will to address 
both of these challenges in a responsible way, including 
by ensuring full enfranchisement, with particular empha-
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•HRES 147 IH 
sis on developing a means for enfranchisement for the 
hundreds of thousands displaced by violence; 
Whereas the members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati 
wal-Jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram, have ter-
rorized the people of Nigeria with increasing violence 
since 2009, targeting military, government, and civilian 
sites in Nigeria, including schools, mosques, churches, 
markets, villages, and agricultural centers, and killing 
thousands and abducting hundreds of civilians in Nigeria 
and the surrounding countries; 
Whereas the United States Department of State named sev-
eral individuals linked to Boko Haram, including its lead-
er, Abubakar Shekau, as Specially Designated Global 
Terrorists in 2012, and designated Boko Haram as a 
Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in November 
2013; 
Whereas in May 2014, the United Nations Security Council 
added Boko Haram to its al Qaeda sanctions list, and on 
January 19, 2015, the United Nations Security Council 
issued a Presidential statement condemning the recent 
escalation of attacks in northeastern Nigeria and sur-
rounding countries and expressing concern that the situa-
tion was undermining peace and security in West and 
Central Africa; 
Whereas the over 200 school girls abducted by Boko Haram 
on April 14, 2014, from the Government Girls Secondary 
School in the northeastern state of Borno, whose kidnap-
ping sparked domestic and international outrage spawn-
ing the Twitter campaign #BringBackOurGirls, are still 
missing; 
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•HRES 147 IH 
Whereas the militant group is an increasing menace to the 
countries along Nigeria’s northeastern border, prompting 
the African Union, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, 
the European Union, and the United Nations Security 
Council to recognize that there must be a regional re-
sponse; 
Whereas the United States Government has stepped forward 
to offer assistance through intelligence sharing, bilateral 
and international sanctioning of Boko Haram leaders, 
counterterrorism assistance through the Global Security 
Contingency Fund program for countries in the region to 
counter the militant group, and humanitarian services to 
populations affected by and vulnerable to Boko Haram 
violence; 
Whereas Boko Haram emerged partially as a response to 
underdevelopment in northeastern Nigeria, and inequal-
ity, elite impunity, and alleged human rights abuses by 
security forces may be fueling anti-government sentiment; 
Whereas it is clear that a military approach alone will not 
eliminate the threat of Boko Haram, and gross human 
rights abuses and atrocities by security forces causes in-
security and mistrust among the civilian population; 
Whereas it is imperative that the Government of Nigeria im-
plement a comprehensive, civilian security focused plan 
that prioritizes protecting civilians and also addresses le-
gitimate political and economic grievances of citizens in 
northern Nigeria; 
Whereas election-related violence has occurred in Nigeria in 
successive elections, including in 2011, when nearly 800 
people died in clashes following the Presidential election; 
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