HARARE, Zimbabwe – Southern African journalists have been hit hard by the U.S. suspension of foreign aid programs following an executive order issued on January 20 by President Donald Trump, calling for a review of development aid initiatives.
Participants in a Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) training program on reporting illegal transnational issues received notification on Wednesday that the project has been paused indefinitely. The initiative aimed to strengthen media and civil society capacity in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
In an email to applicants, TRF Project Coordinator Light Juma confirmed the suspension of activities due to the funding review. “It is highly regrettable that we have had to pause our activities in this manner. We appreciate this will be disappointing news and ask for your understanding during this review period,” Juma wrote.
The Dual Track training project focused on equipping journalists with skills to report on illicit trade, trafficking, and other transnational crimes, crucial issues in the region. However, its future remains uncertain as the U.S. administration evaluates its foreign aid commitments.
Despite the setback, Juma assured applicants of TRF’s continued commitment to supporting independent media. “We are actively engaging with our networks within the sector to assess how we might respond to this situation,” she said, adding that the suspension does not affect other TRF courses or projects.
The move has sparked concern among journalists, who rely on such programs to enhance their reporting capacity in regions where illegal transnational activities often go underreported due to limited resources.
This development is part of broader uncertainty over the future of U.S.-funded initiatives under the new administration, with potential ripple effects across Africa and beyond. It also comes as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended a grant agreement with a Zimbabwe-based partner as part of a reevaluation of U.S. foreign aid under a recent executive order.
Effective Jan. 24, 2025, the implementing partner was instructed to halt all activities and minimize costs associated with the award during the suspension period. The directive also mandates an immediate end to all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)-related activities under ongoing USAID agreements.
