Us Congress House Bill HR1142

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/12/24
• Refer: 4/12/24

Caption

Recognizing the Tenth Anniversary of the Chibok Girls Kidnapping by the Boko Haram Terrorist Organization and calling on the Government of Nigeria to redouble efforts to bring an end to the conflict in northeast and central Nigeria and to provide assistance to the victims.

Impact

The resolution calls on the Government of Nigeria to step up its efforts to locate and recover abducted individuals, especially women and girls held captive. It seeks to address the full accounting of those still missing and to assist survivors in reintegrating them into society. In addition, it suggests that Nigeria work with international partners to secure necessary assistance in these efforts. The continuous violence of Boko Haram has displaced millions in the surrounding regions, creating a significant humanitarian crisis that demands urgent intervention both domestically and from external collaborators.

Summary

House Resolution 1142 recognizes the 10th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls by the Boko Haram terrorist organization, highlighting the ongoing plight of those kidnapped and calling for renewed efforts in Nigeria to end the violence. It acknowledges the historical context of parent and community campaigns for recovery, emphasizing the global outrage surrounding the kidnapping incident. The resolution underscores the need for the international community to support efforts to combat the ongoing threat of Boko Haram and related groups, which have continued their campaigns of terror and abduction across northern Nigeria, including recent kidnappings of schoolgirls.

Contention

There is a tacit acknowledgment within HR1142 of the challenges faced by the Nigerian government in alleviating the ongoing violence and trauma inflicted by Boko Haram. The resolution criticizes previous responses and emphasizes the need for accountability and recovery efforts to be a priority. Moreover, while calling for more robust actions against Boko Haram, it also highlights the connection between the abductions and broader socio-economic issues that facilitate the insurgency, suggesting that there must be multifaceted approaches involving education, economic opportunities, and societal support mechanisms to prevent future abductions and empower affected communities.