Political Agendas Compromise National Safety
Revised Article:
Donald Trump's return to the White House signaled a dramatic shift in international politics, notably through the disbanding of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). A potent tool for American soft power, USAID is also a significant player in international financing mechanisms for public development assistance in Africa.
The termination of USAID led to the suspension of finances for numerous ventures on the continent, such as the Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced (RISE) project. This initiative aims to minimize chronic vulnerabilities in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa by tackling systemic issues and promoting resilience against economic shocks, natural disasters, and conflicts.
Initiated in response to severe droughts in 2011 and 2012, which left over 18 million people in dire need, the RISE project focuses on economic advancement, governance, and food and health security. Utilizing $348 million in the first phase (2014), the project led to a significant drop in the food insecurity rate from 16.5% in uncovered regions to 2.9% in areas receiving RISE aid by 2020.
Building upon this success, the second phase (2019-2023) allocated $446.3 million, implementing sectoral programs to empower over 21,000 farmers through agricultural resources and veterinary services and protect the resilience of approximately 50,000 households from environmental and security adversities. Measures like the restoration of markets and improvement of community savings programs have facilitated such progress.
However, with Elon Musk declaring the closure of USAID—which he labels a criminal organization—on February 3, and the administration's subsequent 90-day funding suspension, beneficiaries find themselves in a state of uncertainty. Without a clear short, medium, or long-term solution, the suspension of RISE poses threats to the stability, security, and development of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Over the past few years, these countries have seen numerous coups and coup attempts, along with a resurgence of terrorist groups, particularly in Burkina Faso and Niger. Amid this turmoil, RISE has played a critical role in fortifying state legitimacy and consolidating human security. Despite international assistance and progress, the region remains deeply vulnerable. In 2023, it alone accounted for 47% of global terrorism-related deaths.
The dismantling of USAID signifies a setback in Sahel security and represents a retreat of American influence in the region as it relinquishes one of its main soft power tools in Africa. The consequences and potential outlook are severe: increased vulnerabilities, interrupted critical resilience and humanitarian programs, and potential worsening of humanitarian conditions without swift action to develop alternative funding and operational strategies.
- The dismantling of USAID, deemed a criminal organization by Elon Musk, has raised concerns about the future of projects like the Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced (RISE) project, a significant player in politics and general news related to war-and-conflicts, as it aims to promote resilience against economic shocks, natural disasters, and conflicts.
- The suspension of USAID funding for initiatives such as RISE could potentially exacerbate problems in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which have already experienced instability due to coups, coup attempts, and a resurgence of terrorist groups, making them deeply vulnerable in the realm of politics and international affairs.
