U.S. Lawmakers Warn Against Cutting Aid to African Nations, Citing Humanitarian and Security Risks
Washington, D.C. — Leading Democratic lawmakers are urging the State Department to reconsider plans to slash humanitarian aid to seven African nations, warning that the move could cost lives, destabilize regions, and undermine U.S. security interests.
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, led a group of Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Rubio, expressing alarm over reports that assistance to Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Somalia, and Zimbabwe may soon end.
“A Matter of Life and Death”
The lawmakers argue that withdrawing aid would have devastating consequences. In Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, and Niger alone, the United Nations estimates 15 million people rely on lifesaving assistance. Cutting support could worsen hunger, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks—factors that have already contributed to nearly 1 million preventable deaths in 2025, according to the letter.
“During your testimony last year, you claimed no one has died due to aid cuts,” the letter states. “The reality on the ground tells a different story.”
Security Risks and Extremist Threats
Beyond humanitarian concerns, the lawmakers warn that reducing aid could fuel instability, benefiting extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. The Center for Global Development found that previous U.S. aid cuts led to a 5% increase in armed conflicts across Africa in 2025.
“Foreign assistance isn’t just charity—it’s a strategic tool for peace and security,” the letter emphasizes. “Cutting aid doesn’t make America safer. Instead, it creates power vacuums that extremists exploit.”
Call for Reversal
The lawmakers urge Secretary Rubio to reverse course, framing continued aid as both a moral obligation and a national security priority. They warn that abandoning vulnerable populations could damage U.S. influence while strengthening adversaries.
The full letter can be accessed here.
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Related: U.S. Cutting Aid to Seven African Countries – Report
— Reported by Nexio News
