The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the closure of nearly 30 American embassies and consulates around the world, with several African missions included in the proposal, according to a leaked internal U.S. State Department document cited by CNN on Wednesday.
Among the African countries affected are the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan. A U.S. consulate in South Africa is also on the list of proposed closures.
The document reportedly recommends shutting down 10 embassies and 17 consulates across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Other affected missions include embassies in Malta and Luxembourg, as well as consulates in France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
According to the report, the move is part of a broader cost-cutting plan championed by the Department of Government Efficiency — an agency said to have the backing of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The plan aims to drastically scale down U.S. diplomatic operations and reduce federal spending.
The document also proposes downsizing American diplomatic presence in conflict zones such as Somalia and Iraq, despite their strategic roles in U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
As of press time, there has been no official confirmation from Secretary of State Marco Rubio or the State Department. A spokesperson declined to comment on the contents of the leaked document.
If implemented, the closures could mark a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and reduce American engagement in key regions, particularly in Africa, where diplomatic missions have supported development, security, and humanitarian efforts.
