By Gloria Nosa
As Trump Administration Weighs Closure of Dozens of US Embassies and Consulates, Including Several in Africa
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a significant reduction in the United States’ global diplomatic footprint, with plans to shut down nearly 30 embassies and consulates around the world—including several located in Africa.
According to an internal State Department document obtained by CNN, the proposal outlines the potential closure of US embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan. A consulate in South Africa is also on the list of possible shutdowns.
The document recommends the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates, targeting diplomatic posts primarily in Europe and Africa, with additional sites in Asia and the Caribbean. Among those identified for closure are embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, and several African nations.
Notably, the list includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as individual consulates in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea.
This sweeping proposal is reportedly part of a broader initiative backed by the Elon Musk-supported Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to dramatically scale down the size and budget of federal agencies, including the State Department.
Additionally, the internal document suggests reducing the US presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq—both of which have long been central to American counterterrorism efforts.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation on whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved or endorsed the proposal.
