By: Sarah Baafi
Employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mozambique have returned to work following a temporary suspension of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at closing the organisation.
This move comes after a federal judge blocked Trump’s order, which was challenged by two civil servant unions.
The unions argued that Trump lacked the authority to unilaterally close USAID without Congressional approval and that his actions exposed workers abroad to undue hardship and risk.
USAID sources in Maputo confirmed that while activities have resumed, not all areas are fully operational. Programs related to disease prevention, male circumcision, and combating gender-based violence remain suspended. The resumption is contingent on further legal developments, with employees expected to stay until at least February 17.
The global suspension of USAID projects began on January 24 under orders from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In Mozambique, this has halted travel between Maputo and other provinces as well as district-level projects.
The U.S. State Department asserts that USAID has deviated from its mission to advance American interests abroad and claims that much of its funding does not align with U.S. national interests.
