The United States government has ordered the closure of all USAID missions overseas, and staff members have been directed to return to the U.S. by Friday, February 7 2025. This is part of a major restructuring that aims to place USAID under the control of the State Department. All direct hire personnel, except those in critical roles, will be placed on administrative leave.
USAID employs over 10,000 people globally and has faced heavy criticism for mismanagement and corruption. Since the U.S. foreign aid freeze began in January 2020, many programs have been put on hold. The U.S. government said it will cover the return travel costs for overseas staff within 30 days. Employees facing hardship or safety concerns can request exemptions.
On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, now acting head of USAID, called the agency “completely unresponsive” and accused its staff of failing to answer basic questions about its programs.
Investigative journalist David Hundeyin and other African activists have also brought the agency under fire for its dubious activities, which include money laundering and questionable payments. Hundeyin revealed transactions that highlight misuse of U.S. taxpayer funds.
For example, on January 16 2025, just days before President Trump’s inauguration, USAID made a $3.3 million payment to a Nigerian vendor, DAI Global LLC. Between August 2020 and January 2025, at least $48 million of U.S. taxpayer money was allegedly sent to DAI Global LLC, a Maryland-based “climate NGO” that largely arranges meetings and photo ops with politicians. Despite receiving vast sums, the NGO has failed to provide significant output in Nigeria since 2020.
Furthermore, after President Trump’s January 28 directive to halt USAID payments, the agency continued to process payments, including at least $446,000 marked as “undisclosed” recipients in Nigeria. Several other activists have also described the USAID as one of the most gigantic global terror organisations in history and a political tool that has aided in conducting several illicit activities.
Two-thirds of its staff work abroad. According to a CBS news report, the military will assist in evacuating USAID staff who refuse to return voluntarily by Friday.
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