U.S. President Donald Trump could sign an executive order next week aimed at reducing the activities of the State Department and U.S. embassies across Africa.
According to The New York Times, the order outlines a sweeping restructuring of the State Department, including the closure of American embassies in several African countries.
Washington is also reportedly planning to cut staffing in offices dealing with climate change, migration, and human rights, the paper adds.
The most significant change would be the elimination of the bureau currently overseeing U.S. policy in Africa. It would be replaced by the office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Africa, which would fall under the authority of the White House National Security Council.
The Washington Post reported on Monday that the Trump administration is planning to cut the State Department’s budget in half. Funding for international organizations would be reduced even more drastically—by nearly 90%.
Administration Denial
The New York Times report on the planned closure of U.S. diplomatic missions in Africa is based on inaccurate information, the U.S. State Department told Newsweek.
“The New York Times article is based on an unreliable document,” reads the letter sent to the publication by the State Department. On his X account, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also labeled the article “false” and described the New York Times as “a victim of yet another deception.”