MONROVIA – Liberia is facing growing uncertainty following the Trump administration’s suspension of all USAID-funded projects worldwide. The move has triggered widespread concern among government officials, civil society organizations, and citizens, as it threatens critical programs in health, education, media, and governance. Now, with the administration considering a complete shutdown of USAID operations, Liberia is bracing for severe economic and social fallout.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh | [email protected]
A Consequential Decision with Far-Reaching Impact
The U.S. State Department, justifying the suspension, stated that USAID had “strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad” and suggested reassessing whether U.S. foreign assistance aligns with America’s core priorities.
The decision has sent shockwaves across Liberia, where USAID funds a significant portion of essential services. The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has warned that it could undermine democratic progress, particularly media independence and civic engagement.
“The decision by the U.S. government is very consequential,” said Julius Kanubah, President of the PUL. “USAID funding through Internews has supported media independence and created an enabling environment for journalists. Without this support, media reforms will be severely constrained, affecting democratic governance.”
Founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID has played a vital role in global development. In Liberia, its impact is evident across various sectors, including health, education, and governance. However, the Trump administration is pushing to realign the agency’s work with its “America First” policy. Almost all USAID activities have been frozen, and the agency’s website has been taken down at its headquarters and across its missions, including Liberia’s.
On Monday, tech billionaire Elon Musk announced that he and President Donald Trump were working to shut down USAID as part of the administration’s broader effort to cut federal spending. Musk, the world’s richest man and a close Trump ally, leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a special commission established by Trump via executive order to reduce government bureaucracy.
The U.S. Digital Service, created by President Barack Obama in 2014 to modernize government technology, has now been renamed the U.S. DOGE Service under Musk’s leadership. Following his appointment, Musk took to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to confirm USAID’s impending closure.
“We’re shutting it down,” he posted. Later, he reiterated, “We’re in the process of shutting down USAID.”
Musk did not clarify what legal authority the White House has to unilaterally dismantle a federal agency without congressional approval or how quickly the administration plans to proceed. However, he asserted that Trump had given his full backing.
“I actually checked with him a few times and asked, ‘Are you sure?’” Musk said. “He responded, ‘Yes.’”
While the White House has remained silent, the State Department reaffirmed its stance on Monday, stating that USAID has long deviated from its mission and that a review of its foreign assistance programs is underway.
“As an interim step toward gaining control and better understanding of USAID’s activities, President Trump has appointed Secretary Marco Rubio as Acting Administrator,” the statement noted.
Congress Pushes Back
Democratic lawmakers have vowed to fight back against the administration’s efforts. On Monday, U.S. senators and representatives rallied outside USAID’s shuttered headquarters in Washington, D.C., condemning Musk’s actions.
“We are not going to let this injustice happen,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia. “Congress created this agency through the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. If you want to change it, you need to change that law.”
Liberia on the Edge
USAID funds a wide range of programs in Liberia, including maternal and child health, malaria prevention, teacher training, civil service reform, and economic development initiatives. However, with the agency’s Liberia mission website down, the exact number of affected projects remains unclear.
Sources told FrontPage Africa that nearly all USAID-sponsored programs in Liberia have been halted. This includes an $11 million commitment to support Liberia’s media sector and the $75 million Liberia Foundational Skills Activity, which aimed to improve education.
Health Sector in Crisis
The USAID suspension has triggered alarm in Liberia’s health sector, which relies heavily on U.S. funding for essential services. A senior Ministry of Health official, speaking anonymously, described the situation as dire.
“USAID investments have played a crucial role in reducing maternal and child mortality, expanding immunization, and combating diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and Lassa fever,” the official said.
One of the most pressing concerns is the management of the Central Medical Store (CMS), which was previously overseen by USAID in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Liberian government is now scrambling to secure $300,000 to distribute critical medicines across the country.
Economic Shock and Job Losses
Beyond the health and media sectors, the USAID shutdown is expected to send economic shockwaves throughout Liberia.
Brenda Brewer Moore, Executive Director of Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP), described the sudden halt in funding as a devastating blow to Liberia’s development.
“Most people working in development in Liberia, specifically those in USAID-funded projects, were in shock when the Stop Work Order was issued,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Moore, whose organization has enjoyed support from USAID for its READ Liberia Project, warned that unless alternative funding is secured, many critical projects will be forced to shut down, leading to further economic hardships.
“Local businesses that benefited from USAID-funded activities will suffer. Jobs are at risk. Families will feel the pinch,” she added.
Calls for Government Action
As panic spreads, transparency advocates are urging Liberian leaders to take swift action. Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), called the suspension a wake-up call for Liberia to reduce its dependence on foreign aid.
“President Trump’s Stop Work Order on USAID-funded programs in Liberia is a bitter-sweet decision. It will hurt us, but it should also push us to make better use of our domestic resources,” Miamen said.
He also criticized Liberia’s political leadership for its lack of urgency in addressing the crisis.
“Have our senators and representatives begun discussing solutions? Has the executive branch started exploring ways to mitigate the impact? Have citizens started demanding answers?” he asked.
An Uncertain Future for Liberia’s Development
With the Trump administration’s review still ongoing, Liberia’s future remains uncertain. The final decision will determine whether USAID funding is deemed necessary for advancing American interests.
Until then, Liberia faces the grim reality of stalled development projects, economic strain, and a potential governance crisis. As government officials and civil society groups scramble for solutions, many fear the worst is yet to come.