Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Discussions within the administration about placing USAID under the direct control of the State Department have heightened concerns that America’s premier humanitarian agency could be dismantled or significantly downsized.

In the wake of the funding freeze, USAID has been thrown into turmoil. Hundreds of employees and contractors have been either laid off or furloughed, with nearly 60 senior career officials reportedly sidelined. Overseas operations have ground to a halt, while thousands of additional positions remain at risk.

Signs of the agency’s diminishing presence were stark on Friday, as prominent markers at USAID’s Washington headquarters were removed, fueling speculation that a complete shutdown could be imminent.

Democratic lawmakers have been quick to push back against any potential restructuring, emphasizing that USAID operates as an independent entity by law. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Brian Schatz, along with Representatives Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel, issued a statement warning that “any proposal to modify [USAID’s] structure would require an Act of Congress.”

Senator Chris Murphy echoed this sentiment, stating that “a president cannot eliminate an appropriated federal agency by executive order.”

Despite the agency’s growing instability, President Trump has yet to appoint a leader to oversee USAID. Media reports indicate that Pete Marocco, a Trump administration official with a history at USAID, is leading efforts to shrink the agency’s workforce and influence.

Marocco, who previously faced resistance within USAID due to attempts to consolidate control and cut funding, is now reportedly overseeing widespread personnel changes.

Critics argue that Trump’s aggressive stance on foreign aid is not only disrupting humanitarian efforts but also strengthening geopolitical rivals like China, which has expanded its international aid initiatives.

Senator Chris Van Hollen remarked that “Trump’s USAID purge and foreign aid pause is already hurting efforts to deliver aid and growing China’s world standing at our expense.”

Adding to the controversy, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk weighed in on the agency’s fate on Sunday after a clash between USAID security officials and Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk, appointed to lead DOGE, labelled USAID a “criminal organization” after its officials reportedly denied his team access to classified materials.

“Time for it to die,” Musk posted on X, intensifying fears that the administration is intent on dismantling USAID altogether.

Further fueling speculation, USAID’s website temporarily went offline over the weekend, while a stripped-down page appeared under the State Department’s domain. This apparent move toward consolidation led Senator Chris Coons to accuse Trump of “trying to gut the agency altogether.”

The U.S. remains the world’s largest provider of foreign assistance, distributing $72 billion to nearly 180 countries last year—more than half of which flowed through USAID.

USAID supports a wide range of programs across Africa, focusing on health, education, economic growth, governance, climate resilience, and humanitarian assistance.

The agency, founded on November 3, 1961, has been actively involved in Rwanda since 1964, focusing on enhancing the nation’s economic capacity, social climate, and environmental well-being.

In partnership with the Rwandan government, USAID implements programs aimed at improving health systems, boosting agricultural productivity, expanding livelihoods and increasing incomes, among other initiatives.

If the Trump administration follows through on its drastic changes on USAID, the global humanitarian aid landscape could shift dramatically, leaving a void that competing powers may seek to fill.

The latest U.S. trade protectionist measure has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.

Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports late Saturday after Trump imposed 25-percent tariffs on most Canadian products.

Canada will impose a levy of 25 percent on 30 billion Canadian dollars (21 billion U.S. dollars) worth of American goods as of Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after chairing the Cabinet meeting and hosting a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial premiers.

Trudeau said the tariffs will then be applied to another 125 billion Canadian dollars worth of goods in 21 days. American beer, wine and spirits, along with vegetables, clothing, shoes and perfume, will be among the first items, as well as household appliances, furniture and sports equipment.

More non-tariff trade actions, he said, are still to be decided but could include restrictions on exporting critical minerals and energy products to the United States and a move to block American companies from bidding on government contracts.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Saturday instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests in response to the levies imposed by the Trump administration.

Problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs, but by talking and dialoguing, Sheinbaum said on the social platform X.

“We categorically reject the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory,” she said.

The president said that if the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, both countries should work together in an integrated manner, always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration, and above all, respect for sovereignty, “which is not negotiable.”

China’s foreign ministry and commerce ministry both expressed strong opposition to the U.S. tariffs on China.

China firmly deplores and opposes the U.S. decision to impose a 10-percent additional tariff on imports from China and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

“China’s position is firm and consistent. There is no winner in trade and tariff wars,” the spokesperson stressed, adding that the U.S. unilateral tariff hikes severely violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. This move cannot solve the U.S. problems at home, and more importantly, does not benefit either side, still less the world.

China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. tariffs on China. In response to the erroneous action by the United States, China will file a complaint at the WTO and take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Sunday.

China urges the U.S. side to view and address its fentanyl and related issues objectively and rationally, rather than frequently use tariffs to threaten other countries, according to the statement.

United States President Donald Trump announced the military action late Saturday, stating that he had ordered “precision military air strikes on a senior ISIL attack planner and other terrorists” in Somalia.

Trump said the operation “destroyed the caves they live in and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians.” Trump, who assumed office barely a month ago for a second non-consecutive term, also took a swipe at his predecessor, Joe Biden, accusing him of delaying action against the ISIL operative.

The strikes targeted ISIL strongholds in northern Somalia, where Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have been conducting counterterrorism operations since December. The mountainous terrain has served as a refuge for the group, which, while smaller than the dominant al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab, has been increasing its activities in the region.

“Recent air strikes have led to the neutralization of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation,” the Puntland administration stated on Sunday.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was a critical step in dismantling ISIL’s ability to coordinate attacks that threaten American citizens and global security.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his appreciation for US support, posting on X that Washington’s counterterrorism efforts were “highly valued and welcomed in Somalia.”

Puntland’s Information Minister, Mohamud Aidid Dirir, confirmed that the airstrikes specifically hit ISIL bases in the Cal Miskaad Mountains, a segment of the Golis range. However, he noted that the number of casualties remained uncertain due to the nighttime operation.

Despite sustained pressure from Somali forces, US air raids, and al-Shabab rivalries, ISIL continues to operate in remote and urban areas, leveraging extortion, smuggling, and illicit taxation to fund its activities.

The International Crisis Group estimates the group’s fighters in Somalia to be in the hundreds, primarily scattered across the rugged Cal Miskaad Mountains.

In a statement on Sunday, February 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation revealed that documentary evidence uncovered after the M23 seized the city of Goma earlier this week pointed to broader plans to launch an offensive against Rwanda, beyond simply neutralizing the M23 group.

“Recent information coming from Goma on what has been discovered, and the documentary evidence of attack preparations, planned together with the foreign forces fighting in eastern DRC, including the FDLR, indicate that combat objectives were not limited to defeating M23 rebel group, but also attacking Rwanda,” the statement reads in part.

The FDLR comprises remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, who still pose a threat to Rwanda’s security along the border with DRC.

The ministry made the revelation while distancing the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) from accusations made against the force during the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on January 31, 2025, which had accused Rwanda’s military of colluding with the M23.

Rwanda emphasized that the RDF’s primary mission is to defend the country’s sovereignty, protect civilians, and safeguard its borders, and not to attack civilians in other countries.

Rwanda also criticized the presence of SADC forces (SAMIDRC) in the DRC, arguing that their involvement was unjustified, as they were fighting against the citizens of the DRC and effectively escalating the conflict.

“It is clear that SAMIDRC together with coalition partners that include the Burundian armed forces, the FDLR and European mercenaries are central to the conflict, and should not be there because they are adding to the problems that already existed,” the statement adds.

At the same time, the government reiterated its long-standing call for a political solution to the crisis and expressed support for the proposed joint summit between the East African Community (EAC) and SADC to discuss a peaceful resolution.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe has previously maintained that constant threats from the Congolese administration to invade Rwanda, along with growing tensions in the eastern region, have prompted the government to bolster its border defences.

The M23 rebel group is fighting against the systematic persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the region, a situation that has persisted for decades.

In a statement released on Saturday, the group reiterated its openness to [dialogue with President Félix Tshisekedi’s government->https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/m23-reaffirms-commitment-to-peace-calls-for-dialogue-with-tshisekedi-gov-t?var_mode=calcul] to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo.

Rwanda took over the leadership of the council from Burundi on Friday, January 31, during the 24th Council of Ministers meeting, and will head the 14-member organization for the next one year.

In his speech, Dr. Biruta thanked his predecessor for his contributions towards advancing the vision and values of EAPCCO and pledged to continue from where he left off, further strengthening regional cooperation and addressing emerging security challenges in the region.

“As the incoming chair, I am well aware of the responsibility that comes with this role. With your support and continued collaboration, we shall achieve our shared goals and ensure that our collective efforts bring about a meaningful impact in our region,” Dr. Biruta said.

As leaders in the realm of security, he added, they are entrusted with the duty of creating a safe and secure environment for the people.

“This is a duty that demands we tighten our bonds and commitment to jointly confront and neutralize common security threats. Let us, therefore, recommit ourselves to strengthening regional collaboration, ensuring that we share available intelligence, and adopt best practices to tackle the challenges we face,” he said.

“Our power lies in unity and cooperation, and we should work in tandem to protect and serve our people effectively,” he added.

Brig Gen. Andre Ndayambaje, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Public Security in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Community Development, and Public Safety in Burundi, emphasized the need for close collaboration and intelligence sharing to address emerging security threats in the region. These threats are mainly cross-border in nature, such as terrorism, counterfeiting, financial crimes, cybercrimes, and human trafficking.

He also called for joint training, simultaneous operations, and strengthened collaboration with local communities to fight radicalization.

The 26th EAPCCO AGM was held under the theme: “Strengthening Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation to Counter Terrorism, Transnational Organized, and Emerging Crimes.”

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 26th Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Annual General Meeting in Kigali on Friday, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for law enforcement agencies to adapt to digital-age crimes and transnational security challenges.

Dr. Ngirente commended EAPCCO member states for their continued collaboration and urged police chiefs to align their strategies with technological advancements and emerging crime trends.

“Today, more than ever, the necessity to cooperate and assist each other is imperative. I urge you to put more effort into aligning policing strategies with the ever-changing nature of crime driven by digital and technological advancements.,” PM Ngirente stated.

He also stressed the importance of investing in police training and capacity building to equip officers with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime, terrorism, and organized crime.

The 26th EAPCCO AGM, which opened on Wednesday under the theme “Strengthening Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation to Counter Terrorism, Transnational Organized, and Emerging Crimes,” brought together police chiefs and security experts from across Eastern Africa.

The meeting, opened by Rwanda’s Minister of Interior Dr. Vincent Biruta, focused on strengthening intelligence-sharing mechanisms and enhancing regional security coordination.

Founded in 1998 in Kampala, Uganda, EAPCCO was established as a regional response to rising transnational and organized crimes affecting Eastern Africa. With 14 member states, including Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the organization promotes cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat common security threats.

Prime Minister Ngirente highlighted the significance of joint exercises such as the recently introduced Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) challenge, which took place in Rwanda during the summit.

He praised EAPCCO’s initiatives, including joint field training exercises, games, and sports, as vital in fostering cooperation among regional security forces.

“These commendable initiatives should be upheld to strengthen bonds of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in our region,” he remarked.

In his parting shot, PM Ngirente urged security leaders to renew their commitment to working together, ensuring that regional safety remains a priority.

“I call upon all of you to renew your dedication to working across borders and building a future where safety is a reality for the people you serve,” he said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was announced that South Sudan will host the 27th EAPCCO AGM, while Ethiopia will host the 5th edition of the EAPCCO Games.