American diplomats in Africa must now talk more about US foreign aid. This is a new instruction. It comes as US policy changes. The Trump administration wants to focus on trade deals. They seem less interested in traditional aid. This new rule came in an email. Nick Checker, who leads the US Bureau of African Affairs, sent it. Some people who received the email are unhappy. They think it might make Africa seem less important.
Checker, who worked for the CIA before, told staff to "aggressively" remind African governments about US help. The email said it is "not gauche" to remind them about US help with HIV/Aids or famine. This new plan fits with a bigger change in US policy for Africa. A national security paper said Africa is less important to the US. It suggested focusing more on trade and investment.
The email explained why this is happening. It said the US wants to "counter the false narrative" that the US is not the biggest donor. They want to use aid to help US interests. The US wants aid to be seen as a valuable thing. This could help the US get benefits back. The US wants to work with countries that open their markets. The email said Africa's importance to the US is "limited." This idea has caused criticism.
This policy change is not just words. The new security plan prefers partners who "open their markets." Checker's email mentioned minerals and energy as good areas for US investment. It also said helping to "negotiate settlements to ongoing conflicts" could be a way to work with Africa.
However, not everyone likes this new rule. Some people called the email's message "racist." They think it makes African nations seem dependent. Critics say this could damage relationships. It might hurt long-term goals for cooperation. This policy change could mean less foreign aid. It shows a new focus on the economy and US strategy. The future of US aid and its work with Africa is still being discussed.