The United States government, under President Donald Trump, is reportedly set to shut down several embassies and consulates across Africa and other regions, according to a report by CNN.
Citing an internal document from the U.S. State Department, the report reveals that about 30 diplomatic missions around the world are slated for closure as part of a broader effort to scale back the country’s diplomatic footprint abroad.
Among the African nations affected are the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan. The U.S. consulate in South Africa is also listed among those proposed for closure.
According to CNN, the document recommends the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates. While the majority are located in Africa and Europe, a number are also situated in Asia and the Caribbean.
Included in the list are embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. Also named are five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one each in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea.
In addition to outright closures, the document reportedly suggests a reduction in the U.S. presence in strategic locations like Somalia and Iraq—both of which play key roles in America’s counterterrorism operations.
There has been no official confirmation that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the proposal. When contacted, a spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment on the contents of the leaked document.
