Trump Administration Contemplates Closing Six U.S. Embassies: The Trump administration is considering a reduction in its diplomatic presence so meaningful that it has proposed closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates around the world — a plan that would include staff cuts or amalgamations at multiple international missions.
Consequences for Africa
Among the 17 diplomatic missions set to be closed, six embassies are located in Africa. With a time constraint of October, this possibility of slimming down the U.S. diplomatic footprint raises trepidation about the prospect of losing out on dominant diplomatic leverage with China in fields where the U.S. currently has a profusive presence.
An internal memo from the State Department, obtained by The New York Times, outlines the proposed closings and personnel reductions, suggesting a significant shrinkage of U.S. diplomatic activity on almost every continent, with Africa to be the most affected region.
This plan comes during a period when the continent is already struggling with challenges compounded by the administration’s protectionist measures.
Details of Proposed Closures
The memo lists six African embassies earmarked for closing: the countries are the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Gambia, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
It suggests transferring the functions of these embassies to U.S. embassies in neighbouring countries.
The proposed cuts would fall in line with President Trump’s overall vision of trimming federal expenses across different realms of government.
But any such effort would still need Congressional approval and is subject to change.
Critics worry that such cuts could threaten American national security by scaling back diplomatic engagement and limiting intelligence-collection capabilities.
Further European and Other Closures
The memorandum also calls for closing two smaller embassies in Europe — in Luxembourg and Malta — and diplomatic missions in Grenada and the Maldives, with responsibilities moving to nearby U.S. embassies.
Most of the consulates slated for closure are in Europe, including a number in major tourist destinations.
In France, among those listed for shutdown are five consulates — in Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes and Strasbourg.
Germany could close its consulates in Düsseldorf and Leipzig and Bosnia and Herzegovina, its diplomatic mission in Mostar and a consulate in Banja Luka.
Other European cities in line for possible consulate closures are the Greek city of Thessaloniki, Italy’s Florence, Portugal’s Ponta Delgada, and the UK city of Edinburgh.
The memo also proposed closing four consulates outside of Europe, in the cities of Douala, Cameroon; Medan, Indonesia; Durban, South Africa; and Busan, South Korea.
