By Jose Oby 
In a move that could radically reshape U.S. foreign policy, a draft executive order currently circulating within the White House proposes a sweeping reduction of America’s diplomatic engagement across Africa—while eliminating entire offices within the State Department focused on climate change, democracy, and human rights.
The draft, reportedly viewed by AFP and first brought to light by The New York Times, outlines a “full structural reorganization” of the U.S. Department of State, with a hard deadline of October 1, 2025.
According to the document, the aim of the overhaul is to “streamline mission delivery, project American strength abroad, cut waste, fraud, abuse, and align the Department with an America First Strategic Doctrine.”
Africa Bureau to Be Dissolved, Embassies Slashed
Perhaps the most controversial element of the draft is the proposed elimination of the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, which has traditionally overseen U.S. diplomatic initiatives across the continent. In its place, the plan proposes the creation of a “Special Envoy Office for African Affairs”—a unit that would report directly to the White House’s National Security Council, bypassing the State Department entirely.
“All non-essential embassies and consulates in Sub-Saharan Africa shall be closed,” the document declares. Those that remain would be consolidated and reduced to “mission-driven deployments” under the special envoy’s purview.
The draft signals a sharp break from previous U.S. diplomatic priorities in Africa, which have included partnerships on development, security, health, and governance. Analysts warn that this shift could create a vacuum increasingly filled by global competitors like China and Russia.
Democracy, Climate, and Human Rights Offices on the Chopping Block
The proposed reorganization goes even further, recommending the elimination of State Department offices dedicated to climate change, democracy promotion, and human rights—pillars of American soft power that have long defined U.S. foreign policy under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Critics say the removal of these offices reflects a broader retreat from global leadership and signals a return to the isolationist tone that defined Trump’s first term.
White House and Rubio Dismiss Report as “Fake News”
In response to media coverage, Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed the draft as a fabrication, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is fake news. The New York Times has once again fallen victim to another hoax.”
However, the document obtained by AFP, while still in draft form, has yet to be denied officially by the White House. Its emergence follows reports of another proposal to halve the State Department’s overall budget, intensifying concerns among foreign policy experts and lawmakers.
Canada Also Targeted for Downsizing
In an unexpected twist, even Canada, a longstanding ally and neighbor, is not spared. The draft order calls for the “significant downscaling” of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, accompanied by a drastically reduced diplomatic staff. Trump has previously made offhand remarks suggesting that Canada should become America’s 51st state—remarks many dismissed as unserious but now seem to mirror policy rumblings.
As the world watches, speculation continues to mount over whether this radical redirection of U.S. foreign policy will be implemented—or whether it is merely political theater aimed at rallying an “America First” voter base ahead of a high-stakes election season.