The Donald Trump administration is said to be proposing major cuts to the United States (US) State Department’s budget, with plans to reduce it by over $30 billion, more than half, for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, this cost-cutting initiative includes the closure of up to 30 US diplomatic missions worldwide, with around 60% of the affected posts located in Africa.
In a video shared on his X platform on April 17, 2025, Madowo cited an internal memo indicating that the Trump administration intends to shut down at least 27 diplomatic missions, including both embassies and consulates, primarily in Africa and Europe.
The said memo also outlines plans to transition some missions to lower-cost operational models and consolidate multi-mission posts, such as the one at UNESCO in Paris.
These proposed closures are part of a broader strategy to reduce foreign aid by nearly 75% and restructure the US diplomatic corps in line with the administration’s “America First” agenda.
Among the African countries likely to see embassy closures, if the plan is approved, are South Sudan, Lesotho, The Gambia, Eritrea, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.
“They also want to shut down the consulates in Douala in Cameroon and in Durban, South Africa, and reduce the size of the mission in Mogadishu, Somalia,” Madowo reported.
While the proposal remains under review and has yet to be finalised, the US State Department, the White House, and the Office of Management and Budget have not issued any official comments on the matter.
Meanwhile, the potential impact of these closures is significant, especially in Africa, where US embassies play vital roles in diplomacy, development aid, and regional security cooperation.
Critics have warned that reducing the US diplomatic footprint could weaken American influence on the continent at a time when global competition for strategic partnerships is intensifying.
The proposed downsizing is however expected to also spark concern among diplomats, lawmakers, and international partners, who fear long-term consequences for US foreign policy and global engagement.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
