Each year, the U.S. sends billions of dollars in foreign aid to promote global stability, national security, and economic interests. A big chunk of that money goes to Africa, funding programs that tackle health issues, food shortages, energy access, and economic growth.
- The U.S. State Department issued a ‘stop-work’ order on foreign assistance, halting existing aid and pausing new aid.
- The directive to review aid alignment with President Trump’s foreign policy was approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Israel and Egypt received waivers for military financing, with Israel receiving about $3.3 billion and Egypt about $1.3 billion annually.
The U.S. State Department issued a “stop-work” order on Friday, halting all existing foreign assistance and pausing new aid.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s directive to review whether aid aligns with his foreign policy.
The directive, prepared by the Department’s foreign assistance office and approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noted that waivers were granted for military financing to Israel and Egypt, Reuters reported.
Israel receives about $3.3 billion in foreign military financing annually, while Egypt receives about $1.3 billion.
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Each year, the U.S. sends billions of dollars in foreign aid to promote global stability, national security, and economic interests. A big chunk of that money goes to Africa, funding programs that tackle health issues, food shortages, energy access, and economic growth.
This latest move could put billions of dollars in life-saving aid at risk. In 2023 alone, the U.S., as the world’s largest donor, allocated $72 billion in foreign assistance.
Trump, just hours into his presidency on Monday, ordered a 90-day suspension of foreign development aid to evaluate its efficiency and alignment with his policy goals. However, the full implications of this order were not immediately clear.
The State Department cable directed senior officials to ensure that “to the maximum extent permitted by law, no new obligations shall be made for foreign assistance” until Rubio completes the review. It also mandated immediate stop-work orders for ongoing foreign aid programs pending the review’s outcome.
The State Department cable also said waivers have so far been approved by Rubio for “foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt and administrative expenses, including salaries, necessary to administer foreign military financing.”
Israel receives about $3.3 billion in foreign military financing annually, while Egypt receives about $1.3 billion.
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Other states identified for such financing in 2025 include Ukraine, Georgia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Djibouti, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Israel, Egypt and Jordan, according to a request to Congress from former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Trump’s decision to pull back crucial support could worsen conflicts, fuel new humanitarian crises, and heighten instability in already fragile regions.
Countries like South Sudan, DR Congo, and Somalia, struggling with famine, displacement, and severe humanitarian challenges, risk losing essential aid.
With foreign assistance dwindling, other conflict-ridden areas in Africa may see their situations deteriorate further, potentially escalating tensions and deepening existing crises.
