Sec. 1206. United States security and assistance strategies in Africa
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The Secretary of Defense shall, in coordination with the Secretary of State, develop a strategic framework for United States counterterrorism assistance and cooperation in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa, including for programs conducted under the Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership, Operation Enduring Freedom–Trans Sahara, and related security assistance authorities. The strategic framework required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following: An evaluation of the threat of terrorist organizations operating in the Sahel and Maghreb regions to the national security of the United States. An identification on a regional basis of the primary objectives, priorities, and desired end-states of United States counterterrorism assistance and cooperation programs in the region, and of the resources required to achieve such objectives, priorities, and end-states. A methodology for assessing the effectiveness of United States counterterrorism assistance and cooperation programs in the region in making progress towards the objectives and desired end-states identified pursuant to subparagraph (B), including an identification of key benchmarks of such progress. Criteria for bilateral and multilateral partnerships in the region. Plans for enhancing coordination among United States and international agencies for planning and implementation of United States counterterrorism assistance and cooperation programs for the region on a regional basis, rather than a country-by-country basis, in order to improve coordination among United States regional and bilateral counterterrorism assistance and cooperation programs in the region. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes the following: A comprehensive description of the strategic framework required by paragraph (1). A description of lessons learned regarding the organization and implementation of United States counterterrorism assistance and cooperation programs for the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa, including an evaluation of the performance and commitment of regional partners in the Sahel and Maghreb regions, including Mali in particular, in 2012 and 2013. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy to guide future United States policy and programs in Somalia to counter armed threats and support regional security, and in support of Somali and international efforts to foster economic growth and opportunity, counter armed threats to stability, and develop credible, transparent, and representative government systems and institutions. The strategy required under paragraph
(1)should include the following elements: An interagency framework to plan, coordinate and review diplomatic, military, intelligence, development, and humanitarian elements of the United States policy regarding Somalia. Plans and benchmarks for strengthening efforts, as appropriate, of the Government of Somalia, the African Union, and regional governments to stabilize the security situation within Somalia and further degrade al-Shabaab's capabilities, in order to enable the eventual transfer of security operations to Somali security forces capable of— maintaining and expanding security and stability within Somalia; confronting transnational security threats; and preventing human rights abuses. A plan to support the development and professionalization of credible, civilian led, Somali security forces that are representative of the population, including the infrastructure and procedures required to ensure chain of custody and the safe storage of military equipment and an assessment of the benefits and risks of the provision of weaponry to the Somali security forces by the United States. A description of United States national security objectives addressed through military-to-military cooperation activities with Somali security forces. A description of security risks to any United States personnel conducting security cooperation activities within Somalia and plans to assist the Somali security forces in preventing infiltration and insider attacks, including through the application of lessons learned in United States military training efforts in Afghanistan. A description of United States tools for monitoring and responding to violations of the United Nations Security Council arms embargo, charcoal ban, and other international agreements affecting the stability of Somalia. A description of mechanisms for coordinating United States military and non-military assistance with other international donors, regional governments, and relevant multilateral organizations. A plan to support the consolidation of political gains at the national level, while also encouraging and supporting complementary processes at the local and regional levels and encouraging improved collaboration among Somali national and regional administrations. Any plans to increase United States diplomatic engagement with Somalia, including through the future establishment of an embassy or other diplomatic posts in Mogadishu. Any other element the President determines appropriate. Not later than 180 days after the date of the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter for three years, the President shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an update on implementation of the strategy and progress made in Somalia and associated benchmarks for security, stability, development, and governance. The strategy required under paragraph
(1)and the reports required under paragraph
(3)shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a classified intelligence assessment of the terrorist organization known as al-Shabaab. Such assessment shall include the following: A description of organizational structure, operational objectives, and funding sources for al-Shabaab. An assessment of the extent to which al-Shabaab threatens security and stability within Somalia and surrounding countries. An assessment of the extent to which al-Shabaab threatens the security of United States citizens or the national security or interests of the United States. The description of the relationship between al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda affiliates. An assessment of the capacity of the Government of Somalia to counter the threat posed by al-Shabaab. An assessment of the capacity of regional countries and organizations, including the African Union, to counter the threat posed by al-Shabaab. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and for the following three years, the President shall designate an existing senior United States Government official with existing interagency authority for export policy for Africa to coordinate among various United States Government agencies existing export strategies with the goal of significantly increasing United States exports to Africa in real dollar value. In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.