By: ThinkBusiness Africa
In a dramatic escalation of his administration’s effort to reshape global engagement, President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate recall of nearly 30 career diplomats worldwide, with Africa bearing the brunt of the shake-up.
While the recall impacts missions in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, Africa is the most heavily affected region. Ambassadors in 15 African nations have been instructed to return to Washington as their tenures conclude by January 2026.
Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Niger, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Cameroon, Burundi, Gabon, Algeria, Egypt. These countries have had their U.S envoy recalled.
The recall of Richard Mills, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, is particularly significant. Mills had been at the forefront of negotiating a “strategic security framework” to combat terrorism in the Sahel—a partnership that now faces an uncertain future.
The State Department called the move a “standard process,” asserting that ambassadors serve as the personal representatives of the President. A spokesperson stated that the administration has the right to ensure envoys are “fully supportive” of the America First agenda.
“An ambassador is a personal representative of the president, and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.” — U.S. State Department Statement.
While these officials will retain their Foreign Service status and return to Washington for reassignment, the sudden removal of experienced leadership has rattled the diplomatic community.
The mass recall appears to be the logistical backbone of a broader policy shift. Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration introduced a new Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, pivoting away from traditional foreign aid toward “bankable partnerships” and trade deals.
By clearing out Biden-era appointees, the administration aims to install “MAGA disciples” and business-oriented envoys tasked with delivering measurable commercial results for American companies.
Analysts suggest that leaving key posts vacant (even temporarily) provides an opening for China and Russia to deepen their influence on the continent.
The move follows the controversial shutdown of USAID earlier this year, signaling a near-total withdrawal from traditional development-led diplomacy.
