President Trump's USAID Cuts Linked to Increased Violence in Africa, Study Finds
A study has found that the abrupt dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by President Trump has been followed by a significant increase in violence in several African countries. USAID had been a major global aid donor, providing crucial support to regions affected by conflict and violence. The Trump administration's decision to eliminate over 90% of foreign aid contracts resulted in a $60 billion funding cut. The study, published in the Science journal, indicates that the sudden withdrawal of USAID resources led to increased conflict in Africa's most USAID-dependent regions. Researchers from various universities in Europe and the U.S. noted that while the study does not prove that more aid reduces conflict, it highlights the destabilizing effect of sudden aid cuts.