Report: US Discusses Near Total Reduction of Presence in Africa

The Trump administration is proposing the elimination of almost all operations in Africa, as well as the closure of embassies and consulates across the entire continent.

The New York Times reported on this, which reviewed the draft of the relevant executive order from the White House administration.

The draft of the radical restructuring of the State Department is aimed at sharply optimizing expenses related to the activities of regional bureaus that help develop and implement policies in many parts of the world.

One of the most radical proposed changes is the elimination of the Bureau of African Affairs, which oversees policy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It will be replaced by a much smaller office of a Special Envoy for Africa, which will report to the National Security Council. The office will focus on several issues, including “coordinated counterterrorism operations” and “strategic extraction and trade of critical natural resources.”

The draft also states that all “non-essential” embassies and consulates in Sub-Saharan Africa will be closed by October 1.

The publication notes that some of the ideas have been discussed among U.S. officials in recent weeks. Elements of the draft executive order may change before it is finalized by the White House.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote a brief comment on social media after the article was published, calling it “fake news.” However, the so-called fake document fits into the broader trend of reducing the United States’ presence on the African continent.

Previously, the U.S. Secretary of Defense ordered senior Pentagon and military leadership to develop plans for a significant reduction in the defense budget, adding exclusions for funding key regional headquarters, except for the African Command.

In September last year, the U.S. completed the withdrawal of troops from military bases in Niger, which played a key role in conducting military operations in the region. In particular, airbases 101 and 201 were used by the U.S. military for the deployment of MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance-strike drones and other aviation.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that with the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Russian forces began arriving at U.S. Air Base 101. This information was later confirmed by former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

“The Russians are in a separate complex and do not have access to U.S. forces or our equipment. I am always focused on the safety and protection of our troops… But right now, I don’t see any serious issue regarding the protection of our forces,” Austin said.

Russia continues to expand its influence in other African countries, providing economic and military support to the military juntas in Mali, the Republic of the Niger, and Burkina Faso. The Russian Federation is also actively selling key military technologies, including combat aviation and anti-aircraft systems, strengthening its influence in countries such as Algeria, Uganda, and Angola.

Meanwhile, China continues its expansion on the continent, deploying troops from its private companies to protect mineral extraction operations. Recently, the country has signed contracts to supply its equipment to African governments, including Côte d’Ivoire.

However, it cannot be said that the new administration in the White House had completely lost interest in Africa: U.S. officials were considering a potential deal to recognize Somaliland in exchange for establishing a military base near the port of Berbera. The new military facility would strengthen the control of the U.S. Navy over the Red Sea region.