#aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #efg ,,an ,,act ,to establish an interagency program to assist countries in ,north and ,west ,africa to improve immediate and long-term capabilities to counter terrorist threats1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,trans-,sahara ,counterterrorism ,partnership ,program ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 terrorist and violent extremist organizations1 such as ,al ,qaeda in the ,islamic ,maghreb1 ,boko ,haram1 the ,islamic ,state of ,west ,africa1 and other affiliated groups1 have killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians1 displaced populations1 destabilized local and national governments1 and caused mass human suffering in the affected communities2 7#b7 poor governance1 political and economic marginalization1 and lack of accountability for human rights abuses by security forces are drivers of extremism2 7#c7 it is in the national security interest of the ,united ,states to combat the spread of terrorism and violent extremism and build the capacity of partner countries to combat these threats in ,africa2 7#d7 terrorist and violent extremist organizations exploit vulnerable and marginalized communities suffering from poverty1 lack of economic opportunity 7particularly among youth populations71 corruption1 and weak governance2 and 7#e7 a comprehensive1 coordinated interagency approach is needed to develop an effective strategy to address the security challenges in the ,sahel-,maghreb1 appropriately allocate resources1 de-conflict programs1 and maximize the effectiveness of ,united ,states defense1 diplomatic1 and development capabilities4 #c4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to assist countries in ,north and ,west ,africa1 and other allies and partners active in those regions1 in combating terrorism and violent extremism through a coordinated interagency approach with a consistent strategy that appropriately balances security activities with diplomatic and development efforts to address the political1 socioeconomic1 governance1 and development challenges in ,north and ,west ,africa that contribute to terrorism and violent extremism4 #d4 ,trans-,sahara ,counterterrorism ,partnership ,program 7a7 ,trans-,sahara ,counterterrorism ,partnership ,program 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 shall establish a partnership program1 to be known as the ,trans-,sahara ,counterterrorism ,partnership 7,,tsctp7 ,program to coordinate all programs1 projects1 and activities of the ,united ,states ,government in countries in ,north and ,west ,africa that are conducted for any of the following purposes3 7,a7 ,to improve governance and the capacities of countries in ,north and ,west ,africa to deliver basic services1 particularly with at-risk communities1 as a means of countering terrorism and violent extremism by enhancing state legitimacy and authority and countering corruption4 7,b7 ,to address the factors that make people and communities vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist and violent extremist organizations1 including economic vulnerability and mistrust of government and government security forces1 through activities such as-- 7i7 supporting strategies that increase youth employment opportunities2 7ii7 promoting girls' education and women's political participation2 7iii7 strengthening local governance and civil society capacity2 7iv7 improving government transparency and accountability2 7v7 fighting corruption2 7vi7 improving access to economic opportunities2 and 7vii7 other development activities necessary to support community resilience4 7,c7 ,to strengthen the rule of law in such countries1 including by enhancing the capability of the judicial institutions to independently1 transparently1 and credibly deter1 investigate1 and prosecute acts of terrorism and violent extremism4 7,d7 ,to improve the ability of military and law enforcement entities in partner countries to detect1 disrupt1 respond to1 and prosecute violent extremist and terrorist activity while respecting human rights1 and to cooperate with the ,united ,states and other partner countries on counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts4 7,e7 ,to enhance the border security capacity of partner countries1 including the ability to monitor1 detain1 and interdict terrorists4 7,f7 ,to identify1 monitor1 disrupt1 and counter the human capital and financing pipelines of terrorism4 7,g7 ,to support the free expression and operations of independent1 local-language media1 particularly in rural areas1 while countering the media operations and recruitment propaganda of terrorist and violent extremist organizations4 7#b7 ,assistance framework ,activities carried out under the ,,tsctp ,program shall-- 7,a7 be carried out in countries where the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 determines that there is an adequate level of partner country commitment1 and has considered partner country needs1 absorptive capacity1 sustainment capacity1 and efforts of other donors in the sector2 7,b7 have clearly defined outcomes2 7,c7 be closely coordinated among ,united ,states diplomatic and development missions1 ,united ,states ,africa ,command1 and relevant participating departments and agencies2 7,d7 have specific plans with robust indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact2 7,e7 complement and enhance efforts to promote democratic governance1 the rule of law1 human rights1 and economic growth2 7,f7 in the case of train and equip programs1 complement longer-term security sector institution-building2 and 7,g7 have mechanisms in place to track resources and routinely monitor and evaluate the efficacy of relevant programs4 7#c7 ,consultation ,in coordinating activities through the ,,tsctp ,program1 the ,secretary of ,state shall also establish a coordination mechanism that ensures periodic consultation with1 as appropriate1 the ,director of ,national ,intelligence1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 the ,attorney ,general1 the ,chief ,executive ,officer of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,global ,media 7formerly known as the ,broadcasting ,board of ,governors71 and the heads of other relevant ,federal departments and agencies1 as determined by the ,president4 7#d7 ,congressional notification ,not later than #ae days before obligating amounts for an activity of the ,,tsctp ,program pursuant to paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit a notification to the appropriate congressional committees1 in accordance with the requirements of section #fcd;,a of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bcid-a71 that includes the following3 7,a7 ,the foreign country and entity1 as applicable1 whose capabilities are to be enhanced in accordance with the purposes specified in paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,the amount1 type1 and purpose of support to be provided4 7,c7 ,an assessment of the capacity of the foreign country to effectively implement1 benefit from1 or utilize the assistance to be provided for the intended purpose4 7,d7 ,the anticipated implementation timeline for the activity4 7,e7 ,as applicable1 a description of the plans to sustain any military or security equipment provided beyond the completion date of such activity1 and the estimated cost and source of funds to support such sustainment4 7b7 ,international coordination ,efforts carried out under this section shall take into account partner country counterterrorism1 counter-extremism1 and development strategies and1 to the extent practicable1 shall be aligned with such strategies4 ,such efforts shall be coordinated with counterterrorism and counter-extremism activities and programs in the areas of defense1 diplomacy1 and development carried out by other like-minded donors and international organizations in the relevant country4 7c7 ,strategies ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development and other relevant ,federal ,government agencies1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees the following strategies3 7#a7 ,a comprehensive five-year strategy for the ,sahel-,maghreb ,a comprehensive five-year strategy for the ,sahel-,maghreb1 including details related to whole-of-government efforts in the areas of defense1 diplomacy1 and development to advance the national security1 economic1 and humanitarian interests of the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 efforts to ensure coordination with multilateral and bilateral partners1 such as the ,joint ,force of the ,group of ,five of the ,sahel1 and with other relevant assistance frameworks2 7,b7 a public diplomacy strategy and actions to ensure that populations in the ,sahel-,maghreb are aware of the development activities of the ,united ,states ,government1 especially in countries with a significant ,department of ,defense presence or engagement through train and equip programs2 7,c7 activities aimed at supporting democratic institutions and countering violent extremism with measurable goals and transparent benchmarks2 7,d7 plans to help each partner country address humanitarian and development needs and to help prevent1 respond to1 and mitigate intercommunal violence2 7,e7 a comprehensive plan to support security sector reform in each partner country that includes a detailed section on programs and activities being undertaken by relevant stakeholders and other international actors operating in the sector and that incorporates as appropriate any lessons learned from previous initiatives to improve security sector governance2 and 7,f7 a specific strategy for ,mali that includes plans for sustained1 high-level diplomatic engagement with stakeholders1 including countries in ,europe and the ,middle ,east with interests in the ,sahel-,maghreb1 regional governments1 relevant multilateral organizations1 signatory groups of the #bjae ,agreement for ,peace and ,reconciliation in ,mali1 and civil society actors4 7#b7 ,a comprehensive five-year strategy for ,,tsctp ,program counterterrorism efforts ,a comprehensive five-year strategy for the ,,tsctp ,program that includes-- 7,a7 a clear statement of the objectives of ,united ,states counterterrorism efforts in ,north and ,west ,africa with respect to the use of all forms of ,united ,states assistance to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism1 including efforts to build military and civilian law enforcement capacity1 strengthen the rule of law1 promote responsive and accountable governance1 and address the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism2 7,b7 a plan for coordinating programs through the ,,tsctp ,program pursuant to subsection 7a77#a71 including an identification of which agency or bureau of the ,department of ,state1 as applicable1 will be responsible for leading1 coordinating1 and conducting monitoring and evaluation for each such program1 and the process for enabling the leading agency or bureau to establish standards1 compel partners to adhere to those standards1 and report results2 7,c7 a plan to monitor1 evaluate1 and share data and learning about the ,,tsctp ,program that includes quantifiable baselines1 targets1 and results in accordance with monitoring and evaluation provisions of sections #c and #d of the ,foreign ,aid ,transparency and ,accountability ,act of #bjaf 7,public ,law #aad-aia72 and 7,d7 a plan for ensuring coordination and compliance with related requirements in ,united ,states law1 including the ,global ,fragility ,act of #bjai 7title ,v of division ,j of the ,further ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-id774 7#c7 ,consultation ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,department of ,state shall consult with appropriate congressional committees on progress made towards developing the strategies required in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b74 7d7 ,supporting material in annual budget request ,the ,secretary of ,state shall include in the budget materials submitted to ,congress in support of the ,president's annual budget request 7submitted to ,congress pursuant to section #aaje of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code7 for each fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for five years1 a description of the requirements1 activities1 and planned allocation of amounts requested by the ,,tsctp ,program4 ,this requirement does not apply to activities of the ,department of ,defense conducted pursuant to authorities under title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7e7 ,monitoring and evaluation of programs and activities ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for five years1 the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that describes-- 7#a7 the progress made in meeting the objectives of the strategies required under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7c71 including any lessons learned in carrying out ,,tsctp ,program activities and any recommendations for improving such programs and activities2 7#b7 the efforts taken to coordinate1 de-conflict1 and streamline ,,tsctp ,program activities to maximize resource effectiveness2 7#c7 the extent to which each partner country has demonstrated the ability to absorb the equipment or training provided in the previous year under the ,,tsctp ,program1 and where applicable1 the ability to maintain and appropriately utilize such equipment2 7#d7 the extent to which each partner country is investing its own resources to advance the goals described in subsection 7a77#a7 or is demonstrating a commitment and willingness to cooperate with the ,united ,states to advance such goals2 7#e7 the actions taken by the government of each partner country receiving assistance under the ,,tsctp ,program to combat corruption1 improve transparency and accountability1 and promote other forms of democratic governance2 7#f7 the assistance provided in each of the three preceding fiscal years under this program1 broken down by partner country1 to include the type1 statutory authorization1 and purpose of all ,united ,states security assistance provided to the country pursuant to authorities under title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baea et seq471 or any other train and equip authorities of the ,department of ,defense2 and 7#g7 any changes or updates to the ,comprehensive ,five-,year ,strategy for the ,,tsctp ,program required under paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7c7 necessitated by the findings in this annual report4 7f7 ,reporting requirement related to audit of ,bureau of ,african ,affairs monitoring and coordination of the ,trans-,sahara ,counterterrorism ,partnership ,program ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and every #abj days thereafter until all #ac recommendations in the ,september #bjbj ,department of ,state ,office of ,inspector ,general audit entitled ,audit of the ,department of ,state ,bureau of ,african ,affairs ,monitoring and ,coordination of the ,trans-,sahara ,counterterrorism ,partnership ,program 7,,aud-,,mero-#bj-db7 are closed or until the date that is three years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 whichever is earlier1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that identifies-- 7#a7 which of the #ac recommendations in ,,aud-,,mero-#bj-db have not been closed2 7#b7 a description of progress made since the last report toward closing each recommendation identified under paragraph 7#a72 7#c7 additional resources needed1 including assessment of staffing capacity1 if any1 to complete action required to close each recommendation identified under paragraph 7#a72 and 7#d7 the anticipated timeline for completion of action required to close each recommendation identified under paragraph 7#a71 including application of all recommendations into all existing security assistance programs managed by the ,department of ,state under the ,,tsctp ,program4 7g7 ,program administration ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall report to ,congress plans for conducting a written review of a representative sample of each of the security assistance programs administered by the ,bureau of ,african ,affairs to identify potential waste1 fraud1 abuse1 inefficiencies1 or deficiencies4 ,the review shall include an analysis of staff capacity1 including human resource needs1 available resources1 procedural guidance1 and monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure the ,bureau of ,african ,affairs is managing programs efficiently and effectively4 7h7 ,form ,the strategies required under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7c7 and the reports required under subsections 7e71 7f71 and 7g7 shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex4 7i7 ,appropriate congressional committees defined ,in this section1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 and the ,select ,committee on ,intelligence of the ,senate2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 and the ,permanent ,select ,committee on ,intelligence of the ,house of ,representatives4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,june #bi1 #bjba4;,clerk4