ExecutiveOrdersEO
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 $35 million in Defense Department services to assist France in counterterrorism efforts in Mali, Niger, and Chad. This is a limited, targeted delegation of existing statutory authority under the Foreign Assistance Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 27555

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register publication

Key directives

  • Delegate authority under 506(a)(1) of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to Secretary of State
  • Direct drawdown of up to $35 million in DoD defense services
  • Provide assistance to France for counterterrorism in Mali, Niger, and Chad
  • 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
  • $35 million drawdown authority becomes available

Near term (90d)

  • Potential execution of defense services drawdown for French operations

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Limited geographic scope (Sahel region) suggests constrained mission
  • No explicit expiration date for delegated authority creates potential open-ended commitment
  • Relatively small dollar amount ($35M) limits operational scale
  • Text vague on whether France must reimburse or if this is grant assistance
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Authority Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 · Executive Orders