Senators Collins, Gillibrand Lead Letter Requesting Update on Administration’s Efforts to Combat Boko Haram

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis requesting an update on their efforts to counter Boko Haram.  Their letter was also signed by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

“We appreciate your efforts to develop a strategy to help the Nigerian government and its partners to combat Boko Haram as required by enacted legislation…,” the Senators wrote.  “In light of the horrifying reports that Boko Haram has kidnapped 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Nigeria, we write to request an update on your efforts to implement the five-year strategy.”

“We look forward to working with your agencies to ensure you have necessary resources and authorities to combat these associated terrorist organizations, which perpetrate heinous crimes including abducting and enslaving men, women, and children, and burning, raping, and butchering their victims,” the Senators continued.

In December 2016, the President signed into law legislation authored by Senator Collins requiring the Administration to develop a comprehensive plan to help the Nigerian government and its partners combat Boko Haram and address the legitimate concerns of affected, vulnerable populations. This legislation, which responded to the terrorist organization’s kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Nigeria in 2014, directed the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a five-year anti-Boko Haram strategy.

Last week, Boko Haram survivors Hauwa and Ya Kaka visited the Capitol to share their stories with a bipartisan group of Senators hosted by Senators Gillibrand and Collins. 

Click HERE for a signed copy of the letter.