Senegal, South Africa, Botswana: American aid hanging | Apanews

Senegal, South Africa, Botswana: American aid hanging | Apanews


The United States has announced the suspension of several development aid programs in Africa, causing various reactions.

Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has decided to suspend several development aid programs for African countries. This decision caused contrasting reactions on the continent, where certain crucial projects are now pending.

In Senegal, funding of $ 500 million frozen

In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, revealed the suspension of $ 500 million funding by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). This project, called “Senegal Power Compact”, was to spread over five years. In a registration distributed by the Seneweb information site, Sonko said: ” We cannot continue to depend on foreign aid. The day before yesterday, the new American president has announced a suspension of all the development assistance programs in the United States in favor of poor countries, for a period of three years, while waiting to see what he will do. »

South Africa: tensions around land reform

In South Africa, the American decision comes in an already tense context. Donald Trump threatened to cut funding in response to a new land expropriation law. “” South Africa confiscated from land and very badly treats certain categories of people “He said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly responded to these accusations, stressing that the law is not an instrument of confiscation, but a constitutional legal process aimed at ensuring fair access to the earth. “” We remain a constitutional democracy deeply rooted in the rule of law “, He insisted.

Botswana: concerns for the fight against AIDS

In Botswana, the suspension of the PEPFAR program (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) arouses fears in the health sector. Since 2003, the country received more than a billion pulas (around 70 million euros) to fight AIDS. Dr. Christopher Nyanga recalled that this aid was decisive to make Botswana one of the first countries to achieve the ONUIDA 95-95-95 objectives.

Although the Ministry of Health ensures that the supply of antiretroviral drugs is not threatened, several local organizations have already received the order to suspend their operations. Botswana authorities provide discussions with the American Embassy to maintain affected services.

A turning point in American-African relations?

This generalized suspension of American aid programs in Africa marks a turning point in relations between the United States and the continent. If some see it as an opportunity for African countries to reduce their dependence on foreign aid, others are worried about immediate consequences on key sectors such as energy, health and agriculture.

FSS/ac/APA

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