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Trump exposes USAid as regime change tool
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In a stunning development, the United States administration under President Donald Trump has admitted that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been used as a conduit for regime change activities in various countries. This revelation validates Zimbabwe's long-held suspicions regarding the organization's role in fostering political instability under the guise of humanitarian aid.
The Trump administration, which assumed office on January 20, has already taken decisive action by closing USAID's Washington, D.C. offices and suspending its operations. Officials argue that the agency has been instrumental in fueling coups, orchestrating protests, and funding opposition parties and political activists. Critics have described this policy shift as a "Damascene moment" for the Trump administration.
Billionaire Elon Musk, appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been vocal in his criticism of USAID. After his cost-cutting team was reportedly denied access to critical files by USAID security officials, Musk labeled the agency a "criminal organization" and called for its dissolution. "USAID should die," he declared, as reports emerged that two senior security officials were placed on leave for refusing to cooperate with his investigation.
President Trump issued an executive order on January 20, instituting a 90-day pause in most US foreign aid programs. The order stated that the "foreign aid industry and bureaucracy" often work against American interests and promote destabilization in other nations. The President highlighted the agency's role in sowing division and undermining world peace by promoting ideas that disrupt internal harmony within nations.
The admission by the Trump administration aligns with Zimbabwe's consistent warnings about USAID's activities in the country. The Zimbabwean Government has long accused USAID of being a regime change tool, particularly through its funding of shadowy civil society organizations that emerge during election periods or major international events. These organizations often operate under the pretext of human rights advocacy but are seen as attempts to discredit Zimbabwe's leadership.
Since Zimbabwe's independence, USAID claims to have provided over US$3 billion in aid to support "democratic institutions and actors." However, the Government has repeatedly raised red flags, alleging that these funds are channeled to opposition-linked entities to destabilize the country.
In 2018, the US acknowledged that civil society organizations it had funded in Zimbabwe squandered project funds meant for "democratic activities." The US subsequently suspended funding and referred the matter to USAID's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which investigates misuse of agency programs.
Prominent organizations such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), the Election Resource Centre (ERC), and the Counselling Services Unit (CSU) were implicated in the scandal, with allegations of financial abuse and misuse of funds earmarked for political and governance initiatives.
USAID's controversial activities extend far beyond Zimbabwe. The agency has been implicated in regime change efforts across the globe. In Cuba, USAID built a fake social media platform called ZunZuneo to manipulate young users into opposing the government. The platform, funded through shell companies, collapsed after being exposed in 2014.
In Venezuela, USAID was accused of pouring millions into opposition groups to overthrow Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, supporting anti-government media, and training activists. In Ukraine, USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy funneled money into opposition groups and media ahead of the 2014 crisis.
Other countries affected by USAID's alleged interference include Bolivia, Haiti, and Afghanistan, where the agency has faced accusations of meddling in political affairs under the guise of aid.
With the Trump administration halting nearly all USAID programs and taking down the agency's website, the future of US foreign aid remains uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken over as acting director of USAID amid widespread layoffs and the agency's ongoing shutdown.
The revelations about USAID's activities have sparked debates about the role of humanitarian aid and its misuse as a political weapon. As the Trump administration continues to scrutinize and overhaul the agency's operations, Zimbabwe and other nations may feel vindicated in their longstanding criticisms of US foreign aid practices.
The Trump administration, which assumed office on January 20, has already taken decisive action by closing USAID's Washington, D.C. offices and suspending its operations. Officials argue that the agency has been instrumental in fueling coups, orchestrating protests, and funding opposition parties and political activists. Critics have described this policy shift as a "Damascene moment" for the Trump administration.
Billionaire Elon Musk, appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been vocal in his criticism of USAID. After his cost-cutting team was reportedly denied access to critical files by USAID security officials, Musk labeled the agency a "criminal organization" and called for its dissolution. "USAID should die," he declared, as reports emerged that two senior security officials were placed on leave for refusing to cooperate with his investigation.
President Trump issued an executive order on January 20, instituting a 90-day pause in most US foreign aid programs. The order stated that the "foreign aid industry and bureaucracy" often work against American interests and promote destabilization in other nations. The President highlighted the agency's role in sowing division and undermining world peace by promoting ideas that disrupt internal harmony within nations.
The admission by the Trump administration aligns with Zimbabwe's consistent warnings about USAID's activities in the country. The Zimbabwean Government has long accused USAID of being a regime change tool, particularly through its funding of shadowy civil society organizations that emerge during election periods or major international events. These organizations often operate under the pretext of human rights advocacy but are seen as attempts to discredit Zimbabwe's leadership.
Since Zimbabwe's independence, USAID claims to have provided over US$3 billion in aid to support "democratic institutions and actors." However, the Government has repeatedly raised red flags, alleging that these funds are channeled to opposition-linked entities to destabilize the country.
In 2018, the US acknowledged that civil society organizations it had funded in Zimbabwe squandered project funds meant for "democratic activities." The US subsequently suspended funding and referred the matter to USAID's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which investigates misuse of agency programs.
Prominent organizations such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), the Election Resource Centre (ERC), and the Counselling Services Unit (CSU) were implicated in the scandal, with allegations of financial abuse and misuse of funds earmarked for political and governance initiatives.
USAID's controversial activities extend far beyond Zimbabwe. The agency has been implicated in regime change efforts across the globe. In Cuba, USAID built a fake social media platform called ZunZuneo to manipulate young users into opposing the government. The platform, funded through shell companies, collapsed after being exposed in 2014.
In Venezuela, USAID was accused of pouring millions into opposition groups to overthrow Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, supporting anti-government media, and training activists. In Ukraine, USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy funneled money into opposition groups and media ahead of the 2014 crisis.
Other countries affected by USAID's alleged interference include Bolivia, Haiti, and Afghanistan, where the agency has faced accusations of meddling in political affairs under the guise of aid.
With the Trump administration halting nearly all USAID programs and taking down the agency's website, the future of US foreign aid remains uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken over as acting director of USAID amid widespread layoffs and the agency's ongoing shutdown.
The revelations about USAID's activities have sparked debates about the role of humanitarian aid and its misuse as a political weapon. As the Trump administration continues to scrutinize and overhaul the agency's operations, Zimbabwe and other nations may feel vindicated in their longstanding criticisms of US foreign aid practices.
Source - the herald
