THE Trump administration is preparing to scale back America’s diplomatic presence in Africa dramatically, with plans to shutter six embassies across the continent, according to a leaked State Department memo that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.
The internal document, obtained by multiple news organisations, reveals that U.S. embassies in the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan are on the chopping block as part of a sweeping cost-cutting initiative.
“This would represent the largest single diplomatic withdrawal from Africa in recent U.S. history,” said a former US diplomat to Africa. “The signal it sends to African partners could not be clearer: you are not a priority.”
The proposed closures come amid President Trump’s broader push to slash federal spending following his January inauguration. The initiative bears the clear influence of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk, which has been tasked with identifying opportunities to streamline federal operations.
“America First” Means “Africa Last”?
The plan has drawn fierce criticism from foreign policy veterans who warn that America’s retreat could create a dangerous power vacuum across the continent.
“China is investing billions in infrastructure and diplomatic outreach across Africa while we’re pulling up stakes,” said Dr. Sarah Mensah, director of the Centre for African Policy Studies. “This isn’t just about closing buildings—it’s about abandoning influence in a region that will shape the 21st-century global order.”
The memo outlines a strategy to transfer responsibilities to diplomatic missions in neighbouring countries, creating what it calls “hub-and-spoke diplomacy” with smaller, more flexible teams managing regional relationships.
For citizens of affected countries, the practical implications could be severe. Mokhele Tshabalala, a business owner from Lesotho who regularly travels to the United States, expressed frustration about the potential closure.
“If they close the embassy in Maseru, I’ll have to travel to South Africa just to apply for a visa,” Tshabalala said. “That’s additional days of travel and hundreds of dollars in expenses for something that used to be accessible.”
Africa is bearing the brunt of the diplomatic retrenchment, but the withdrawal extends beyond the continent. The plan also targets smaller European embassies in Luxembourg and Malta, along with 17 consulates worldwide, including five in France and others in South Korea and South Africa.
Perhaps most alarming to security experts are suggestions in the memo about reducing diplomatic presence in Somalia and Iraq, countries considered critical to U.S. counterterrorism operations.
“You don’t just lose diplomatic capabilities—you lose intelligence gathering, security partnerships, and on-the-ground insight that can’t be replaced by satellite imagery or remote operations,” said former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns.
When questioned about the memo, a State Department spokesperson described the figures as “premature or inaccurate” but declined to provide specifics, referring inquiries to the White House.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained conspicuous silence on the matter, fueling speculation about internal disagreements over the proposal.
The plan still requires congressional approval, setting up what could be a contentious battle with lawmakers concerned about America’s diminishing global influence.
“This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s strategic malpractice,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “The cost of maintaining these embassies is a rounding error in the federal budget, but the cost of losing our seat at the table in Africa will be paid for generations.”
As Washington debates the future of American diplomacy, the uncertainty leaves many diplomatic staff, local embassy employees, and partner nations in limbo, wondering if America’s decades-long commitment to global engagement is coming to an end.
