Faith Nyasuguta
The Trump administration is planning to shut down U.S. embassies in six African countries as part of a sweeping effort to reduce the State Department’s global footprint and slash its budget by nearly 50%. Internal documents reveal that embassies in the Central African Republic, Eritrea, The Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan are among those listed for closure in fiscal year 2026.
The plan, outlined in the latest “Passback” response from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is part of a broader proposal to cut the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s combined budget from $54.4 billion to $28.4 billion. The proposals are reportedly influenced by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, working alongside senior adviser Elon Musk, to reduce federal spending and downsize diplomatic operations overseas.
According to reporting from CNN and Punchbowl, the administration seeks to shut down 10 embassies and 17 consulates worldwide. While several consulates in Europe, including five in France, two in Germany, and others in Scotland and Italy are targeted, Africa will be hit particularly hard. In addition to closing six African embassies, the administration recommends reducing the U.S. diplomatic presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq.
The State Department has not confirmed the closures, but a spokesperson told The Independent that “no embassy or consulate closures have been announced” and that operations continue as normal. However, the internal memos suggest that decisions were based on criteria including consular workload, cost per billet, security ratings, and the physical condition of facilities.
Critics warn that the proposed closures will undermine U.S. influence in strategic regions and damage diplomatic relations with key African partners. In particular, the U.S. embassy in Juba, South Sudan, now targeted for closure has played a vital role in supporting the fragile peace process in the war-torn nation. The decision to close the embassy in Eritrea also comes at a time of rising tensions in the Horn of Africa.
It remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed off on the recommendations. His recent announcement revoking visas for South Sudanese citizens raised concerns that diplomatic disengagement may already be underway.
Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokesperson, cautioned that leaked planning documents often reflect early-stage ideas rather than finalized policy. “The kinds of numbers and what we tend to see is reporting that is early or wrong,” she said.
Ultimately, the final decision will rest with President Donald Trump and the White House, who are expected to present the full budget proposal to Congress later this year.
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