A bill to require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.
PL 114-266 (S.1632), enacted 12/14/2016

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 Multi-
national 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 popu-
lations 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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130 STAT. 1383 
PUBLIC LAW 114–266—DEC. 14, 2016 
while respecting human rights and strengthening account-
ability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. 
(F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Govern-
ment 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 strat-
egy’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 devel-
oped 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 Govern-
ment 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. 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives. 
Approved December 14, 2016. 
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