U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order to significantly reduce African diplomacy. Major changes in U.S. foreign policy are anticipated, including the withdrawal of diplomatic missions and restructuring the State Department.
The New York Times reported on the 20th (local time) that it has obtained the draft of a 16-page executive order that Trump is reviewing. The draft includes a provision to close non-essential diplomatic missions, including embassies and consulates of the United States in various African countries, by October 1.
The Trump administration plans to streamline diplomatic missions and reduce waste and abuse through these measures. Future diplomats sent to Africa will operate based on a 'target-oriented, mission-based deployment method,' focusing on specific tasks.
The 'African Bureau,' dedicated to the sub-Saharan African region within the State Department, will be abolished, and a special envoy organization specialized in specific security issues, such as counter-terrorism, is planned to take over related tasks.
Along with this, there is a high possibility that the departments related to climate change, refugees, democracy, and human rights at the State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., will also be subject to abolition. It is expected that the Vice Minister position overseeing these departments, along with the climate special envoy position, will also disappear.
In contrast, a new Vice Minister position responding to national threats such as drugs will be established.
The reorganization plan includes not only Africa but also plans to reduce diplomacy with Canada. The organization at the U.S. embassy in Ottawa will be significantly downsized, and staffing reductions will also be made for the organization overseeing the North America region.
As large-scale restructuring of overseas diplomatic missions and State Department headquarters is anticipated, Trump plans to reform the diplomat recruitment system as well. The existing exam-centered selection method will be abolished, and a method of selecting 'talents that align with the President’s vision' is expected to be introduced.
The State Department's scholarship programs will also be significantly reduced. The Fulbright Scholarship, which was previously offered to various majors, will now be provided only to applicants for master’s programs in national security, and the scholarship program contract with prestigious historically Black colleges and universities, such as Howard University, is also expected to be terminated.
This program has been supporting students of color who aspire to be diplomats.