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MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

President Obama delegated authority to the Secretary of State to direct a drawdown of up to $45 million in Defense Department equipment, services, and military training to assist five African nations (Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria) in their fight against Boko Haram. This is a routine delegation of existing statutory authority under the Foreign Assistance Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 60511

Impact dates

  1. Drawdown authority available upon delegation; no fixed expiration stated

Key directives

  • Delegate to Secretary of State authority under 22 U.S.C. § 2318(a)(1) to direct drawdown of up to $45 million in defense articles and services and military education and training
  • Assist Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria against Boko Haram
  • Make required determinations under section 506(a)(1)
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Delegation of authority to Secretary of State takes effect upon signing
  • Federal Register publication authorized

Near term (90d)

  • Potential drawdown and delivery of defense articles and services to five nations

Long term

  • Sustained counterterrorism capacity building in Lake Chad Basin region

Risks & tensions

  • Human rights concerns implicit in arming partner nations with governance challenges
  • No explicit congressional notification timeline stated in document
  • Vague on end-use monitoring and accountability mechanisms
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 · Executive Orders