Monrovia – In a twist of political irony, Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who once supported former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash foreign aid, now faces the direct implications of Trump’s latest executive order as the head of state. President Trump’s decision to freeze all U.S. foreign assistance for three months has sparked anxiety within the Liberian government, raising questions about the future of critical development programs in a country heavily reliant on American support.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Trump’s Executive Order
President Trump’s order, signed on his first day back in office, mandates an immediate pause on all new obligations and disbursements of foreign assistance funds. The directive calls for a 90-day review of development programs to ensure their alignment with U.S. foreign policy and efficiency. Trump justified the freeze by claiming the “foreign aid industry” destabilizes global peace and promotes ideas contrary to American values.
Liberia’s Reliance on U.S. Aid
The United States has been Liberia’s largest donor and closest ally, contributing significantly to the nation’s post-war recovery. Since the end of Liberia’s civil conflict in 2003, the U.S. has provided over $2.4 billion in assistance through the State Department and USAID. Additional funding includes $600 million for the Ebola response and substantial contributions to a long-standing UN peacekeeping mission.
All department and agency heads with responsibility for United States foreign development assistance programs shall immediately pause new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds to foreign countries and implementing non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors pending reviews of such programs for programmatic efficiency and consistency with United States foreign policy, to be conducted within 90 days of this order. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall enforce this pause through its apportionment authority…
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
Recent aid commitments further underscore the depth of U.S. support. In November 2024, the U.S. pledged $114.4 million to Liberia under a $640 million, five-year Development Objective Agreement. These funds target health, education, governance reforms, and economic growth. Liberia’s qualification for a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact, worth up to $500 million, marks another milestone in U.S.-Liberia relations.
What’s at Stake?
Trump’s executive order has cast doubt on these programs, as it halts new funding commitments until the review is complete. While it remains unclear how much current assistance will be affected, the order’s language suggests a potential realignment of U.S. foreign aid priorities that could disrupt Liberia’s development trajectory.
Key initiatives at risk include infrastructure development: The MCC compact, aimed at improving road connectivity and electricity access, is vital for Liberia’s economic growth; Healthcare and Education: U.S. funds support teacher training, health commodity delivery, and access to education for underserved communities; Governance and Economic Reforms: Programs designed to strengthen Liberia’s institutions and promote inclusive economic growth may face delays or cuts.
Government Response
The Liberian government has expressed concerns over the implications of Trump’s decision. A senior official at the Ministry of Finance, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are worried about the latest decision coming from Washington. We have high hopes that programs already earmarked through bilateral agreements between our two countries will continue.”
Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and other government officials are reportedly engaging U.S. counterparts to secure assurances for ongoing projects.
Political Implications for President Boakai
President Boakai’s stance on foreign aid during his 2017 presidential campaign adds an ironic twist to the current situation. As vice president, Boakai supported Trump’s previous cuts to foreign aid, stating that Liberia “cannot continue living on handouts.” Now, as president, he must navigate the potential fallout from Trump’s policies, which could undermine key development programs.
A Critical Moment for Liberia
Liberia stands at a crossroads. With Trump’s aid freeze creating uncertainty, the country must explore alternative funding sources to sustain its development agenda. Strengthening partnerships with other donors and increasing domestic resource mobilization will be critical to mitigating the potential impact of reduced U.S. support.
As the U.S. government conducts its review, the Liberian government and its people can only hope that the historic ties between the two nations will prevail, ensuring continued collaboration for a brighter future.