AES: US aid frozen, misinformation targeted at Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger
On January 27, 2024, US President Donald Trump announced a temporary three-month freeze on US foreign aid. This decision, which affects thousands of NGO programs around the world, has raised legitimate concerns, particularly in Africa, where millions of beneficiaries depend on this funding. However, certain French propaganda media outlets, including RFI, have misleadingly shaped their coverage, suggesting that the countries of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – would be the most affected by this measure. An objective analysis of the facts, however, reveals a very different reality.
Upon examining the list of the top recipients of U.S. aid in Africa, it is striking to see that the AES countries are not on the list. The top ten African countries receiving the lion’s share of this funding are primarily located in East and Southern Africa, with the exception of Nigeria. Yet, some French media have chosen to focus their narrative on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, insinuating that these countries are heavily reliant on American aid. This disinformation is clearly aimed at discrediting the AES governments, which have recently taken sovereign steps to reduce their dependence on the West.
This media focus is not accidental. It is part of a broader strategy to demean the AES countries and make the international public believe they survive solely on foreign aid. Nothing could be further from the truth. These countries, though facing security and economic challenges, have shown a strong will to take control of their own future. Their recent initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation and diversify their partnerships are proof of this.
Rather than focusing on biased narratives, it would be more constructive to acknowledge the AES countries’ efforts to reduce their dependence on foreign aid. The freeze on U.S. aid, while concerning for some African nations, does not constitute an existential threat to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These nations have already begun a transition toward greater autonomy, particularly in security and economic development.
The disinformation spread by certain French media against the AES countries is not only unfounded but also malicious. It aims to perpetuate a narrative of dependence and vulnerability that does not reflect the reality. Instead of being distracted by these manipulations, it is crucial to recognize the efforts of the AES countries to build a more sovereign and resilient future. The truth is, these nations do not live off U.S. aid but from the determination of their people to take charge of their own destiny.
