Updated: March 4, 2021
The federal government partial shutdown is affecting some programs at U.S. diplomatic missions around the world, especially in Africa.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in the Nigerian capital Abuja announced that some offices would be closed even though consular services were going on almost smoothly.
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“American Centers and EducationUSA offices operating on embassy and consulate grounds that are managed by Mission Public Affairs Sections will remain closed throughout the shutdown,” the Embassy said in a statement sent to TODAY NEWS AFRICA in Washington DC.
It, however, said the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will remain open during the U.S. government shutdown, including the Consular Sections.
“Prior reports to the contrary were incorrect,” the Embassy said, affirming that the entire consular operations were not crippled.
“American Spaces, such as American Corners operated by partner institutions and located off embassy or consulate grounds, however, will remain open,” it added.
In Washington D.C., President Trump remained adamant about his requested funding of a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
He has said the “tall, beautiful wall” would prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States. He has described them as “criminals and rapists”.
But Democrats, who would be taking control of the House of Representatives on Thursday, have vowed they would not provide funding for a wall in the southern border.
They have said Mr Trump, who was quoted as saying that all Haitian immigrants have aids and Nigerians who come to the U.S. will never go back to their huts in Africa, is trying to provide an archaic solution to a modern problem.
President Trump, who has described white nationalists as fine people but American Citizens from Puerto Rico as ingrates after they criticized his response to Hurricane Maria, is facing many corruption investigations.
He has failed to disclose his tax returns and it has been revealed that he was still planning to build a hotel in Russia even as he sought to become President of the United States.
Senator Elizabeth Warren who recently took the first step to running for President has described Washington under Trump as a monument of corruption.
Yet, even with shocking corruption in Washington D.C., the United States still lectures countries around the world on corruption.
Last Saturday, the South African government arrested the former Mozambican minister of finance at the Trump administration request.
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