The Trump administration is reportedly considering the closure of nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates around the world—including several across Africa—as part of a sweeping initiative to scale back America’s diplomatic footprint.
According to a CNN report on Wednesday, which cites an internal U.S. State Department document, embassies in countries such as the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are among those on the chopping block. A U.S. consulate in South Africa is also reportedly under consideration for closure.
The document outlines a recommendation to shut down 10 embassies and 17 consulates, with many of the targeted locations situated in Europe and Africa, and others in Asia and the Caribbean. Specific embassies listed for possible closure include those in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
Additionally, the report highlights five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one each in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and South Korea as part of the proposed reductions.
This proposal is said to be part of a larger initiative led by the Trump administration—allegedly influenced by the Elon Musk-supported Department of Government Efficiency—to significantly cut federal spending, including within the State Department.
The internal document also mentions plans to scale down the U.S. presence in key strategic regions like Somalia and Iraq, both of which have been central to U.S. counterterrorism operations.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation on whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has endorsed the plan. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the leaked document.
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