The Trump administration is reportedly considering a significant reduction in the number of U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, a move that could impact diplomatic relations and services in key regions, especially Africa. According to an internal State Department memo obtained by CNN, President Donald Trump is evaluating the closure of up to 10 embassies and 17 consulates as part of a wider effort to cut the federal budget and streamline government operations. This initiative is being overseen by a newly created government efficiency office led by tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The embassies at risk of closure include those in the Central African Republic, Congo, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, and South Sudan. Additionally, the U.S. consulates in Douala, Cameroon, and Durban, South Africa, are also listed for potential shutdown. These proposed closures are part of a larger strategy by President Trump, who, since returning to office, has combined aggressive tariff policies with efforts to reduce America’s global diplomatic presence.
Other regions affected by the potential diplomatic drawdown include Europe and Asia. Embassies in Malta and Luxembourg, along with consulates in South Korea, France, and Germany, are among those targeted. The internal memo further suggests scaling back operations in Iraq and Somalia—countries where the U.S. has long maintained a strong diplomatic and military presence. It also proposes “right-sizing” other missions to align with new cost-efficiency goals.
While the leaked document offers no specific political explanation for these cuts, it indicates that each post was evaluated based on regional feedback, workload, maintenance costs, and security concerns. It also outlines plans to implement “dual-hatted leadership” in certain embassies and to form smaller, more agile diplomatic teams in place of traditional missions.
The closures could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for African nations. With embassies and consulates playing a crucial role in visa processing, trade facilitation, and diplomatic engagement, shutting down these offices may make it significantly harder for African citizens to access U.S. services. The changes may also send a message of disengagement from the continent at a time when global powers like China and Russia are increasing their influence in Africa.
It remains unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally approved the proposed closures. When asked for comment, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to confirm the details, calling the information “premature or inaccurate” and referring to the documents as “leaked from an unknown source.” She directed further inquiries to the White House, which has yet to issue an official response.
The Trump administration’s plan to scale back U.S. diplomatic representation comes amid ongoing debates about America’s role on the global stage. If implemented, these embassy and consulate closures could reshape the landscape of international diplomacy and significantly alter how the U.S. engages with key allies and regions around the world.
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