he administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the closure of nearly 30 American embassies and consulates across the globe, including several in Africa, as part of a broad plan to scale back the country’s diplomatic footprint.
According to a CNN report on Wednesday, which cited an internal U.S. State Department document, embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are among those proposed for closure. A U.S. consulate in South Africa is also reportedly on the list.
The document reportedly recommends the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates. The targeted posts span across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, with embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan specifically mentioned.
The proposal is said to be part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration—allegedly influenced by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency—to significantly reduce the size and expenditure of federal agencies, including the State Department.
The document also suggests a reduction in U.S. diplomatic presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq, both of which have played key roles in America’s counterterrorism strategy.
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