By Adonis Byemelwa
Tanzania’s prime minister, Kassim Majaliwa, addressed a growing concern in the Tanzanian Parliament on February 6, 2025, about the changing dynamics of U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration.
Speaking in Dodoma recently, Majaliwa acknowledged the shifts in U.S. policy, particularly under the leadership of President Donald Trump, which have led to the suspension of critical assistance previously provided to developing nations, including Tanzania.
This reorientation of U.S. foreign policy, Majaliwa noted, would have a profound impact on various sectors in the country, particularly in health and economic development.
He reminded parliamentarians that while Tanzania respects the sovereignty and policies of foreign nations, the government is adjusting to the reality of decreasing foreign aid.
"We are beginning to see a shift in the policies of global powers like the United States, and these changes will undoubtedly affect Tanzania," Majaliwa said.
However, he emphasized that Tanzania is resolutely working towards building a self-sustaining economy to reduce its reliance on foreign assistance, a goal that has become even more pressing with the latest developments.
The effects of the U.S. freeze in foreign aid spending have reverberated across the African continent, with the health sector bearing the brunt of these changes.
Former Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, has publicly criticized African leaders who have voiced opposition to the U.S. withdrawal of health funding, particularly under the new administration's policies.
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order imposing a 90-day freeze on foreign aid, halting several key initiatives, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a lifeline for millions of people living with HIV in Africa.
One of the most vocal critics of this decision has been Professor Anna Tibaijuka, a former Tanzanian Minister of Lands, who recently issued a stark warning about the looming health crisis.
Tibaijuka, taking to social media, called the U.S. decision "catastrophic," stating, "This is a death sentence for millions." She expressed grave concern that the suspension of funding would roll back years of progress in combating HIV/AIDS in Africa.
In particular, she highlighted the potential disruptions to the availability of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), which have been crucial in maintaining the health of those living with HIV.
"I urge the Ministry of Health to inform Tanzanians about the urgent steps we must take to address this crisis," she said, stressing the importance of immediate action.
Tibaijuka’s plea extended beyond Tanzania, calling on the African Union to convene an emergency summit to forge a collective strategy to counter the growing health emergency.
"Africa must unite and take a stand. Millions are affected, and we cannot watch as history repeats itself," she said, echoing the sentiment that the fight against HIV/AIDS is a shared responsibility.
The cuts to U.S. foreign aid are part of a broader strategy under Trump’s "America First" policy, a doctrine that prioritises U.S. interests while reducing the country’s involvement in global initiatives.
One of the key figures advocating for this policy shift is U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who has taken a strong stance on reorienting U.S. foreign aid spending to align with the administration’s objectives.
In a recent statement, Rubio said, "Every dollar we spend, every programme we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?"
While the Trump administration insists that foreign aid spending must be justified by its contribution to U.S. interests, critics argue that this mindset risks undermining global humanitarian efforts.
Elon Musk, a vocal Trump ally and advisor, has added fuel to the fire by claiming that USAID, the U.S. agency responsible for administering foreign aid, is "beyond repair" and advocating for its dissolution.
Musk, who leads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, has even suggested that cutting foreign aid is a way to balance the U.S. budget, even though foreign aid constitutes less than 1% of the federal budget.
The cuts to USAID have been met with growing alarm, particularly within the humanitarian sector. The agency, which accounted for 42% of all global humanitarian aid in 2024, provided approximately $72 billion (£58 billion) in support across a range of sectors, from healthcare to disaster relief.
It also played a crucial role in promoting democracy, civil society, and economic development worldwide. Experts warn that the gutting of USAID will have a devastating impact on global security, as many of the agency’s programmes also aimed to prevent terrorism, organised crime, and conflict.
One of the most affected areas is the fight against infectious diseases. USAID has been instrumental in combatting diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, all of which continue to wreak havoc in many parts of Africa.
The suspension of funding for these programmes could lead to an increase in mortality rates, as crucial health initiatives are left without the necessary financial support.
For instance, USAID’s work has helped to prevent over 7.6 million deaths from malaria since 2000, and its support for the development of a malaria vaccine has been hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against the disease. Nevertheless, with the agency’s future now in question, the fate of these life-saving programmes hangs in the balance.
USAID’s response to natural disasters has also been severely impacted. In 2024 alone, the agency responded to 84 separate crises across 66 countries, providing critical relief to millions of people affected by disasters. Now, as the Trump administration moves to freeze funding and lay off thousands of aid workers, the future of these disaster relief operations is uncertain.
The disruption caused by these cuts is not only felt by the recipients of U.S. aid but also by the international community as a whole.
The void left by the reduction in U.S. foreign aid is likely to be filled by other powers, particularly China, which has been steadily increasing its global influence through infrastructure projects and aid packages.
Since 2013, China has invested more than $1 trillion in development assistance across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, positioning itself as a major competitor to the U.S. in the battle for soft power.
This shift in global dynamics has not gone unnoticed in the U.S. domestic political landscape. While the Trump administration has attempted to sidestep Congressional approval for cuts to foreign aid, the Democrats have vowed to challenge these measures in court.
They argue that Trump does not have the legal authority to dismantle an independent agency that was funded by Congress. Legal battles are already underway, and Democrats have pledged to block approval of Trump’s State Department nominations unless the freeze is reversed.
Despite the political wrangling in Washington, the reality on the ground is that lives are at stake. Aid organisations have been left in a state of confusion, with staff members furloughed and operations suspended. Healthcare clinics in Africa, which were once supported by USAID, have been forced to shut their doors, leaving millions of vulnerable people without access to essential care.
While the Trump administration continues to push its "America First" agenda, critics warn that this approach could have catastrophic consequences not only for global health and security but also for U.S. interests in the long run. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, the U.S. may find itself isolated, both politically and strategically, if it continues down this path of retrenchment.
For now, the future of U.S. foreign aid remains uncertain, and the world watches closely to see whether the cuts to USAID will be reversed or whether the agency will be consigned to history.
