U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Marco Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Boko Haram

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Boko Haram and calling on the governments of the United States and Nigeria to swiftly implement measures to defeat the terrorist organization. April 14, 2019, marks the fifth anniversary of when more than 200 young women were kidnapped from their school in Chibok, Nigeria. Many are still missing or being held captive.

Today, Boko Haram remains a threat to innocent civilians in Nigeria, to regional security and to U.S. national interests.

“Boko Haram and its ongoing threats and violence against young people and young women are abhorrent and must be stopped,” said Senator Baldwin. “The U.S. and Nigerian governments must lead the international community to take swift action to defeat this terrorist group and ensure that the young people of Nigeria can safely learn and attend school.”

“We are grateful for the Senate’s leadership and commend the girls who have bravely escaped or were returned. But we must never forget the thousands who remain in captivity, unable to fulfill their potential and forced to endure marriage, rape and early motherhood. We hope this resolution will spur critically needed action,” said Stephanie Sinclair, founding executive director of Too Young to Wed. 

The resolution acknowledges the efforts of the United States Government to defeat Boko Haram through development and security partnerships with Nigeria and other regional partners, and calls on the Department of State and the Department of Defense to rapidly implement a five-year regional strategy to address the grievous threat posed by Boko Haram and other violent extremist organizations.

The full text of the resolution is available here.