News Update
THE United States government under Donald Trump is reportedly considering closing several embassies and consulates around the world, with many of them located in Africa.
The plan, which is still being reviewed, was revealed through a leaked internal document from the US State Department obtained by CNN.
According to the document, the embassies being considered for closure include those in Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
A US consulate in South Africa is also among the diplomatic posts that could be affected.
The proposal suggests a total of 10 embassies and 17 consulates might be shut down globally, affecting locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.
This development comes as part of a larger plan by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the US federal government.
The proposal is said to be influenced by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, which has backing from Elon Musk.
Although the list of embassies and consulates being reviewed includes several African nations, it is not clear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the plan.
If approved, diplomatic responsibilities in countries with closed embassies would be transferred to American missions in nearby nations.
The document suggests that the affected embassies were reviewed based on several factors, including the volume of consular services provided, operating costs, safety concerns, and input from regional experts.
However, concerns are growing over what the impact of such closures might be, especially in African countries where US diplomatic offices play a role in development projects, peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and security partnerships.
South Sudan and the Central African Republic, for example, are countries where the US has been involved in peace and stability efforts.
A reduced American presence could affect ongoing international support in those areas.
While only two embassies on the list—Malta and Luxembourg—have newly nominated ambassadors, this has raised questions about whether the closures are more about saving money than about long-term diplomatic goals.
When asked about the document, a spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment directly on the contents, instead advising journalists to wait for official information from the White House.