Developing nations are facing new pandemic and Liberia is hit hardest. The ongoing foreign aid freeze imposed by United States President Donald Trump is raising critical concerns about Liberia’s economic stability and development initiatives, as the nation grapples with the fallout of a global crisis, which the Oracle News Daily termed the “Trumpandemic.”
Recently, the U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Liberia’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), announced an allocation of over $114.4 million in funding aimed at bolstering economic growth and education in the West African nation.
This is part of the original five-year Development Objective Agreement, totaling $640 million, signed in May 2020, under which approximately $489.9 million has already been committed. However, the recent freeze on U.S. foreign assistance looms large, threatening the continuity of such vital programs.
The Trump administration’s unprecedented freeze, which affects nearly all foreign aid except emergency food programs and military assistance for select allies, has led to widespread layoffs and program shutdowns across USAID-funded operations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a temporary exemption for certain humanitarian programs, but aid organizations are still wrestling with uncertainty as many critical initiatives face imminent cuts.
Liberia, a nation still recovering from the devastations of civil conflict and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, relies heavily on U.S. financial support, which has played a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities, food security, and healthcare.
Gyude Moore, a former Cabinet minister in Liberia now with the Center for Global Development, described the U.S. aid suspension as “cruel,” warning that it jeopardizes lives and development across Africa.
Moore emphasized that eliminating this support could push Liberia and other vulnerable nations into a cycle of deepening poverty and instability.
“Feeding hungry children in Liberia or providing life-saving medication in Uganda — these initiatives do not undermine American interests; rather, they strengthen them by fostering goodwill and stability in regions that could easily fall into chaos,” he said.
The humanitarian consequences of the freeze are dire. Programs focused on education, healthcare, and economic reform are at risk, making it increasingly difficult for Liberia to build a resilient workforce capable of driving sustainable growth.
Liberia is still a donor driven nation since the end of civil war 22 years ago. The current administration anticipates 60 percent of funding for its $8 billion economic development plan will come from the government and international donors, with the remaining from private investment.
The lack of consistent funding could lead to a downturn in essential services, affecting the most vulnerable populations who rely on U.S. aid to meet their basic needs.
Furthermore, as the U.S. lessens its investment in regions like West Africa, geopolitical adversaries such as China are poised to fill the void, potentially increasing their influence in resource-rich African nations.
Moore cautioned, “The U.S. must reconsider its aid strategy; failing to do so risks losing ground to rivals who are eager to step in and establish dominance.”
The impact of the U.S. funding freeze is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global economies and the importance of sustained international support in the face of rising global challenges.
The collaboration between the U.S. and Liberia, forged over years of partnership and mutual interest, may be on the brink of a significant setback without renewed commitment and funding initiatives.
With the effects of the Trumpandemic being felt worldwide, the looming threat to Liberia’s economic recovery underlines the urgent need for continued investment in development programs that not only uplift nations but also promote stability and peace on a global scale.
Writes Festus Poquie
