ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

Drawdown Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, for Chad and France To Support Their Efforts in Mali

President Obama authorized an emergency drawdown of up to $50 million in Defense Department services and equipment to assist Chad and France in their military operations against terrorists and violent extremists in Mali. The determination was made under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, bypassing normal Arms Export Control Act procedures due to an unforeseen emergency.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 12589

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register filing date (observed)

Key directives

  • Drawdown of up to $50 million in DOD defense services for Chad and France
  • Secretary of State to report determination to Congress
  • Secretary of State to arrange Federal Register publication
  • Secretary of State to coordinate implementation of drawdown

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • $50 million defense drawdown authorized
  • Secretary of State directed to report to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Coordination of drawdown implementation by State Department
  • Delivery of defense services to Chad and France

Long term

  • Ongoing counterterrorism operations in Mali/Sahel region
  • Potential follow-on assistance requests

Risks & tensions

  • Bypass of Arms Export Control Act may raise congressional oversight concerns
  • Unforeseen emergency determination limits normal legislative consultation
  • Vague scope of 'defense services' creates implementation uncertainty
Presidential Determination: Drawdown Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, for Chad and France To Support Their Efforts in Mali · Executive Orders