The Cable News Network reported Tuesday that Washington is looking at closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates as it eyes significant changes to its diplomatic presence abroad, citing an internal State Department document.
The proposed changes come amid a broader expected overhaul of the US’ diplomatic agency as the Trump administration, spurred by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency, makes dramatic efforts to shrink the federal government.
At the time of this reporting, it was unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed off on the proposed closures, which are subject to review and approval by Congress.
The document recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates. Many of the posts are in Europe and Africa, though they also include ones in Asia and the Caribbean.
They include embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa and one in South Korea.
The move, if endorsed by Congress, could spell another blow for South Sudan as Juba struggles to rebuild a strained diplomatic tie with Washington.
In early April, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, implemented a sweeping visa revocation for South Sudanese passport holders after the government denied a Congolese national wrongly certified by the country’s embassy in Washington and deported by the Trump administration.
With threats of escalating visa revocation hanging in the air, the Kiir administration bowed to pressure and granted entry to Makula Kintu, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
However, this has done very little to compel the Department of State to reverse its decision on visa revocation and restrictions for South Sudanese nationals.
The decision to close the embassy could significantly affect the longstanding ties between the two countries.
