Liberian senate takes action to tackle USAID freeze

FILE PHOTO: The USAID building sits closed to employees after a memo was issued advising agency personnel to work remotely, in Washington

FILE PHOTO: A USAID flag flutters outside, as the USAID building sits closed to employees after a memo was issued advising agency personnel to work remotely, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 3, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

The Liberian Senate has taken swift action in response to the recent suspension of USAID funding, mandating its Committees on Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning, Foreign Affairs, and Agriculture to engage with relevant ministries and agencies to determine a path forward.

“The recent action by the U.S. government necessitates immediate attention. We must reassess our national budget and development financing strategies to ensure continuity in essential programs that impact the lives of ordinary Liberians," the Senate is quoted by the Liberian Observer.

The Senate’s decision follows a joint communication submitted by Senators Amara Konneh (Gbarpolu County), Abraham Darius Dillon (Montserrado County), Augustine Chea (Sinoe County), and Gbehzongar Findley (Grand Bassa County). They emphasised the urgency of reassessing Liberia’s budgetary framework, particularly its allocations for the next four years, given the financial vacuum left by the U.S. decision.

The funding freeze follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, after which an internal memo was sent to U.S. officials and embassies, including Liberia, ordering a halt to nearly all existing foreign assistance and pausing new aid.

Brenda Moore, Founder and Executive Director of the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP) highlighted the economic and developmental strain caused by the aid suspension.

“The suspension of USAID funding will put the government under pressure to find alternatives to the existing programs and projects,” Moore stated. “Allowing some of these projects to be halted altogether will mean restart and remobilization costs not initially included in the operational budget. With limited resources, this is no easy task. The stop-work order will not only halt progress but has also put a strain on our local economy and the livelihoods of many Liberians.”

The aid suspension is part of a policy shift under Trump’s “America First” initiative, temporarily halting billions of dollars in foreign assistance pending a 90-day review by the U.S. State Department.

Etornam Kornu