The Donald Trump administration disclosed that it may shut down nearly 30 United States embassies and consulates around the world.
This also includes the ones in Africa.
According to the CNN, this is part of a sweeping plan to reduce the country’s diplomatic presence abroad.
A CNN report on Wednesday, citing an internal US State Department document, states that the embassies proposed for closure.
They include the embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are among those proposed for closure.
A US consulate in South Africa may also be shut down.
The document recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates.
Many of the posts are in Europe and Africa, though they also include locations in Asia and the Caribbean.
These include embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
The report stated that the list also includes:
- five consulates in France,
- two in Germany,
- two in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
- one in the United Kingdom,
- one in South Africa, and one in South Korea.
The proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump-led government to drastically reduce the size and spending of federal agencies, including the State Department.
The Trump-led government is reportedly influenced by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency.
The internal document also suggests reducing the US presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq.
Both countries have been central to America’s counterterrorism efforts.
About 30 embassies and consulates across the globe are said to be affected by the decision of the Trump administration.
The move is part of a sweeping plan to reduce the country’s diplomatic presence abroad, a CNN report said, citing an internal US State Department document.
There has been no official confirmation that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the proposal.
Also, a spokesperson for the department declined to comment on the leaked document.
