A study published in the journal Science has found a significant increase in violence across several African nations following Donald Trump's decision to dissolve the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The research, conducted by academics from European and American universities, concluded that 'large-scale, sudden aid cuts can destabilise fragile settings.'
The Trump administration effectively eliminated over 90 per cent of foreign aid contracts, cutting approximately $60 billion in funding. The study noted that the abrupt withdrawal of USAID resources interrupted existing contracts, staffing, and aid procurement, leading to a 'significant and sustained increase in conflict across Africa’s most USAID-dependent regions.'
Africa is facing a growing threat from jihadist groups, according to conflict experts. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) reported on Wednesday that jihadists in the region have been increasingly involved in violence and targeting civilians over the last four years.
USAID had long been a key funding partner for many African countries, supporting responses to multiple crises. In Nigeria, aid helped victims of Boko Haram; in Ethiopia's Tigray region, US funds were crucial for recovery after a war that killed hundreds of thousands; and in northern Ivory Coast, USAID made significant commitments to counter the spread of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
Nathaniel Raymond of the Yale School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study, said the lasting impact of the funding cuts is likely to be the loss of experience and capacity for conflict prevention work. Ladd Serwat of ACLED added that some USAID programs may have helped prevent spillover from conflict zones, but with their closure, insurgency and spillover are increasing.
