A draft executive order from the Trump administration proposes a significant restructuring of the State Department, potentially impacting its operations in Africa. The draft suggests eliminating most of the department's activities on the continent and closing embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan Africa.
The draft also proposes cuts to offices at the State Department headquarters that address climate change, refugee issues, democracy, and human rights. The aim is to streamline operations and reduce waste, with changes potentially implemented by October 1.
The proposed reorganization includes eliminating the Bureau of African Affairs, replacing it with a smaller office reporting to the White House National Security Council. Operations in Canada would be transferred to a new North American affairs office, with a reduced U.S. Embassy presence in Ottawa.
Other proposed changes involve eliminating offices overseeing democracy, human rights, refugees, and migration. The draft also suggests ending the foreign service exam and establishing new hiring criteria based on alignment with the president's foreign policy vision.
The department would explore increased use of artificial intelligence for document drafting, policy development, and operational planning. Regional offices would be replaced by four bodies: Eurasia, Middle East, Latin America, and Indo-Pacific.