- Elon Musk has apparently echoed Uhuru Kenyatta's call for a candid evaluation of US aid dependency following Trump's funding cut.
- Kenyatta's speech at a recent summit held in Mombasa emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency, particularly in African countries.
- This follows President Trump's executive order to review foreign aid, which has triggered global concern.
US tech billionaire and X owner Elon Musk has appeared to publicly endorse former President Uhuru Kenyatta's opinions on foreign aid dependence.
Kenyatta's comments were made in the wake of President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily suspend US foreign aid.
Elon Musk, known for speaking out about his political views, particularly his endorsement of Trump, posted a video clip of Kenyatta's speech on his social media platform.
He added, "good for him," suggesting it is good that Kenyatta recognized early on the importance of self-reliance.
The statement made by Musk reflects a sentiment becoming increasingly common among leaders and influencers linked to Trump, regarding the need for countries to decrease their reliance on foreign aid from the US.
What did President Uhuru Kenyatta say about Trump's decision to cut foreign aid?
On January 29, Uhuru Kenyatta denounced the responses of African leaders to the reduction of U.S. aid during his address at the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa.
During the summit, which focused on addressing health security in the aftermath of global pandemics such as COVID-19 and Mpox, Kenyatta posed challenging questions to the delegates regarding the long-term viability of policies reliant on international assistance.
"Why is there sadness on your face? This situation has nothing to do with your government or your homeland. There's no valid reason for its treatment of you. You don't pay taxes in the United States," Kenyatta stated.
The former president advised his fellow leaders to see the funding pause as a wake-up call to review their economic strategies and invest in self-sufficient economic solutions.
"We should focus on how to make a positive change, rather than wallowing in despair. We need to take matters into our own hands and use our resources effectively," Kenyatta suggested.
What was the reasoning behind Trump's decision to limit foreign funding?
The context for Kenyatta's comments was an executive order by President Trump, which imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance.
Trump stated that the decision was needed to assess the candidates for programmatic efficiencies and conformity with US foreign policy requirements.
This move has had a direct impact on health sectors across Africa, where American funding has played a crucial role, particularly through initiatives such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and support from USAID.
The stoppage of these funds could lead to major disruptions in ongoing healthcare programs, potentially impacting millions who depend on this support for essential health services.
The World Health Organisation is making a plea to the United States to revisit its decision to withdraw from the agency.
The global community, specifically the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed significant worries about the implications of these budget reductions.
The World Health Organization drew attention to the possibility of setbacks in global public health security, noting that illnesses don’t respect national boundaries and that any slump in support could cause a chain reaction worldwide.
The organisation requested that the U.S. reconsider its decision to withdraw its membership, highlighting the need for sustained support for health programs in low- and middle-income countries.
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