“The U.S. Role in Helping Nigeria Confront Boko Haram and Other Threats in Northern Nigeria,” is the title of a congressional hearing to be chaired Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the Africa and Global Human Rights Subcommittee. A school girl victimized by Boko Haram kidnappings in 2014 will address Congress, as will as key human rights advocacy groups.

          “For more than a decade, the Nigerian government has battled the deadly threat of Boko Haram, now the world’s most dangerous terrorist group," said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the Africa and Global Human Rights Subcommittee. “However, that fight has obscured other threats in the northern region of Nigeria, including a worsening conflict between Fulani herdsmen and a multi-ethnic group of farmers that has claimed more than 3,000 lives in recent years. In addition, there is a newer threat from Iranian-supported Shiites whose recent conflict with the Nigerian military led to hundreds of deaths earlier this year. This hearing will examine the challengers to northern Nigeria’s peace and security and will suggest options for the U.S. government to help Nigeria prevent these conflicts from expanding further.”

           WHAT:           Congressional hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

           WHO:             Smith, members of the Subcommittee on Africa and global human rights, and witnesses:

• Former US Rep. Frank R. Wolf, Distinguished Senior Fellow, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative

• Emmanuel Ogebe, Special Counsel, Justice for Jos Project

• “Sa’a,” (Chibok Schoolgirl), Education Must Continue Initiative

• Christopher Fomunyoh, Ph.D., Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa, National Democratic Institute

   

  WHEN:           Wednesday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m.

  WHERE:        Room 2255 in the Rayburn House Office Building (second floor).

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