On his first day in office, President Trump signed more than 200 executive orders – these are written orders issued by the president to the federal government that do not require congressional approval.
Here are five that could affect Africa
Withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO)
It’s the second time Trump has ordered the US to pull out of the WHO and public health experts say the move could reverse progress made around the world fighting infectious diseases such as Malaria,
TB and HIV/AIDS.
Attempting to end birthright citizenship
The controversial order attempts to deny citizenship rights to children born to those in the US illegally or on temporary visas.
It’s unclear if the order will survive, as birthright citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution.
Pulling out of the Paris climate agreement (again)
The Paris Climate Agreement is the landmark international deal to limit rising global temperatures.
Trump first withdrew from the Paris Accord in 2017, before Biden re-entered it in 2021.
Pausing foreign aid
The order temporarily suspends all US foreign assistance programs for 90 days while the administration reviews whether they align with Trump’s foreign policy goals.
Suspending the Refugee Resettlement Program
The orders move to suspend a decades-old program that offers resettlement to people around the world facing threats, violence, and persecution.
Trump cited the need to align the program with American interests.
Source: BBC