The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to carry out a broad overhaul of the diplomatic corps, including the recall of about 30 diplomats from their posts as ambassadors and senior officials at overseas missions, in a move aimed at reshaping the diplomatic apparatus in line with the “America First” policy direction.
Two State Department officials, who requested anonymity, said heads of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their assignments would end next January. They had been appointed during former President Joe Biden’s administration and remained in their posts after initial changes affected political appointees at the start of Trump’s second term.
The State Department declined to provide details on the number of officials affected, but described the move as a routine measure with every new administration, stressing that an ambassador personally represents the president and that he has the right to choose those who align with his political priorities.
It added that the ambassador is the “personal representative of the president, and the president has the right to ensure there are individuals in these countries who advance America First agenda.”
Africa was the region most affected by the removals, with ambassadors in 13 countries included: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.
Asia came second, with ambassadorial changes affecting six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Four countries in Europe were also affected — Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia — while the changes also included two countries each in the Middle East — Algeria and Egypt — South and Central Asia — Nepal and Sri Lanka — and the Western Hemisphere — Guatemala and Suriname, according to The Associated Press.
