I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3833 
To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 26, 2015 
Ms. WILSON of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Select Com-
mittee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed 
by Boko Haram. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 Sec-
retary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall 
jointly develop and submit to the appropriate com-
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mittees of Congress a 5-year strategy to help enable 
the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multi-
national Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram 
(MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and rel-
evant 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 af-
fected by Boko Haram. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—At a minimum, the strategy 
shall address the following elements: 
(A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authori-
ties and restrictions, the institutional capacity, 
including military capabilities, of the Govern-
ment of Nigeria and partner nations in the re-
gion, as appropriate, to counter the threat 
posed by Boko Haram. 
(B) Provide humanitarian support to civil-
ian populations impacted by Boko Haram’s ac-
tivity. 
(C) Specific activities through which the 
United States Government intends to improve 
and enhance the capacity of MNJTF member 
nations to investigate and prosecute human 
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rights abuses by security forces and promote re-
spect for the rule of law within the military. 
(D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as 
appropriate, MNJTF member 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 Ni-
geria, enhancing public safety, and responding 
to crime (including gender-based violence), 
while respecting human rights and strength-
ening accountability measures, including meas-
ures 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 gen-
der inequality. 
(G) Identify and develop mechanisms for 
coordinating the implementation of the strategy 
across the interagency and with the Govern-
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ment 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 Intel-
ligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of 
Congress, an assessment regarding— 
(1) the willingness and capability of the Govern-
ment of Nigeria and regional partners to implement 
the strategy developed under subsection (a), includ-
ing 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 re-
gion— 
(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). 
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(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that lack of economic opportunity and access to edu-
cation, justice, and other social services contributes to the 
ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individ-
uals. 
(d) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate commit-
tees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intel-
ligence of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Com-
mittee on Intelligence of the House of Representa-
tives. 
Æ 
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