On Friday Donald Trump will formally take office as the 45th President of the United states.
Donald Trump has been vocal about so much such as building a wall with Mexico, bringing back jobs to America, his dislike of trade deals. But when it comes to Africa, the incoming U.S. President has offered little insight.
His team has sent a four-page list of questions to the U.S. State Department and the Pentagon, questioning some of the current procedures and practices when it comes to the African continent.
Africa experts say the tone of the questions suggest scepticism and indicate the Trump administration is preparing to move away from development and humanitarian projects.
Among the questions in the unclassified document are “How does U.S. business compete with other nations in Africa?” and “With so much corruption in Africa, how much of our funding is stolen?” As well as “Why should we spend these funds on Africa when we are suffering here in the U.S.?”
There are also questions on security, including why the U.S. is helping to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria, and why al-Shabaab has not yet been defeated.
The Trump transition team also asks about previous U.S. aid and health programs, like PEPFAR, started in 2003 by former U.S. President George W Bush, which provides money to fight HIV and AIDS.
There are more questions than answers at the moment, and it’s unclear whether the incoming administration is simply trying to find its footing or the questions suggest policy changes are in the works.
CGTN’s Nick Harper reports from New York
