Trump administration eyes closure of six U.S. embassies in Africa, sparking diplomatic concerns

The Trump administration is reportedly considering the closure of nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, including six in Africa, in a sweeping effort to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations.

According to an internal State Department memo obtained by multiple news outlets, embassies in the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan are among those proposed for closure. The move has raised alarms among diplomats and foreign policy experts who warn it could diminish U.S. influence, particularly in regions where strategic competition with China is intensifying. Reducing the U.S. presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq, which have been central to Washington’s counterterrorism efforts, is reportedly also on the table. The memo, part of a broader plan pushed by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), also suggests cutting diplomatic staff and consolidating embassy functions in neighboring countries.

While the proposal has yet to be officially approved by secretary of state Marco Rubio, it signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy posture. Critics argue the cuts could hinder intelligence gathering, disrupt counterterrorism operations, and reduce the U.S.’s ability to respond to crises in fragile states. Africa, which faces the most significant reduction among all regions, is seen as a key battleground for global influence, where Washington risks ceding ground to Beijing. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the leaked document, citing the administration’s ongoing budget deliberations.