analysis of outsider influence in Nigeria. It would also undermine the Nigerian government’s ability to address the problem through law enforcement and thereby improve rule of law.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12] African Studies Scholars Letter To Secretary Clinton: “An FTO Designation [Of Boko Haram] Would Give Disproportionate Attention To Counter-Terrorism In Our Bilateral Relations, And Increase The Risk That The US Becomes Linked…To Abuses By The [Nigerian] Security Services.” “An FTO designation would give disproportionate attention to counter-terrorism in our bilateral relations, and increase the risk that the US becomes linked – whether in reality or perception – to abuses by the security services. An FTO designation would effectively endorse excessive use of force at a time when the rule of law in Nigeria hangs in the balance. There is already evidence that abuses by Nigeria’s security services have facilitated radical recruitment. This was made unequivocally clear in 2009 following the extrajudicial murder of Mohammed Yusuf, which was broadcast across the internet. That incident was immediately followed by Boko Haram’s radicalization, splintering, and increased propensity for large scale violence. Moreover, the routine use of the military for domestic law enforcement is a cause for alarm in a country with a deep history of military rule, and where formal declarations of states of emergency have historically led to broader political instability.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12] African Studies Scholars Letter To Secretary Clinton: “Accurately Understanding And Properly Addressing The Issue Of Boko Haram Will Require A Diplomatic, Developmental, And Demilitarized Framework.” “Accurately understanding and properly addressing the issue of Boko Haram will require a diplomatic, developmental, and demilitarized framework. The State Department and its civilian developmental partners must be in the lead.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12] African Studies Scholars Letter To Secretary Clinton: “We Believe That An FTO Designation For Boko Haram Would Limit American Policy Options To Those Least Likely To Work, And Would Undermine The Domestic Political Conditions Necessary In Nigeria For An Enduring Solution.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12] …AS WELL AS LIMIT THE WORK THAT COULD BE DONE BY NGOS TO MITIGATE THE TERRORIST GROUP’S BRUTALITY African Studies Scholars Letter To Secretary Clinton: “If Economic Development Is To Play A Role In Alleviating Tensions In Northern Nigeria, We Should Not Hamper Access By USAID Or Private NGOs In Providing Aid And Assistance In The Region.” “Once the State Department makes an FTO designation and that entity is added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list managed by the Treasury Department, it is illegal for U.S. citizens to have any interactions with that entity unless they apply for a license…Lack of information about the criteria for being listed makes it impossible to be removed and encourages selective enforcement. This cumbersome and arbitrary process has made it impossible for some humanitarian organizations to operate in the neediest areas of Africa. If economic development is to play a role in alleviating tensions in northern Nigeria, we should not hamper access by USAID or private NGOs in providing aid and assistance in the region.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12] African Studies Scholars Letter To Secretary Clinton: “Should Boko Haram Be Designated An FTO Through This Regime, It Would Be Illegal For Nongovernmental Organizations To Interact With Members Of Boko Haram – Even If The Purpose Of Such Contact Was To Persuade Them To Renounce Violence.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12] African Studies Scholars Letter To Secretary Clinton: “An FTO Designation Would Effectively Criminalize Broad Categories Of Research.” “An FTO designation would prevent independent scholarly inquiry about Boko Haram, and increase suspicion in the future about researchers with no governmental ties. Public policy benefits from dialogue with public scholars, and an FTO designation would effectively criminalize broad categories of research.” [Letter To Secretary Clinton, Carl Levan, 5/21/12]