Also known as: the Trump administration
Trump administration — US government pursuing "America First" policies affecting African trade, health funding, immigration enforcement, and military cooperation in 2026.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
The administration announced an 'anti-weaponisation fund' as part of its settlement agreement with Donald Trump
“The administration last month announced what it called an "anti-weaponisation fund" as part of its settlement agreement with US President Donald Trump over a leak of his tax returns.”
Trump administration will abide by ruling halting $1.8bn ‘anti-weaponisation’ fundThe Namibian
Trump administration marked by mass deportations, arbitrary arrests and paramilitary-style ICE operations
“Amnesty described the US as facing a "human rights emergency" under the Trump administration, marked by mass deportations, arbitrary arrests and what it called "paramilitary-style" Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.”
World Cup risks being ‘stage for repression': AmnestyInformanté
Trump administration posed threat to stability of global trade through uncertain U.S. tariff policies
“This raised concerns that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market, could be scrapped altogether under the Trump administration.”
Namibian exports to benefit from duty-free access to China soonNew Era
Trump administration officials claimed that Pretti intended to harm federal agents
“The latest killing sparked fresh protests and rebukes from local officials, who disputed the Trump administration's quick claims that Pretti intended to harm federal agents as he participated in demonstrations against a sweeping immigration crackdown.”
Man killed by US federal agents was nurseThe Namibian
Trump administration is posited to have marked the moment the curtain fully rose on a 21st century scramble for Africa
“Health author Emily Bass, posits that the day the Zambia-US health agreement was not signed as scheduled, marked the moment the curtain fully rose on the Trump administration's 21st century scramble for Africa.”
Will Namibia Bow to the ‘America First’ Model?New Era
Trump administration dismantled US foreign aid
“Globally, researchers estimate that hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths have been caused by the Trump administration's dismantling of US foreign aid, which has upended humanitarian efforts to fight HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis in some of the world's poorest regions.”
Malawi suffers as US aid cuts cripple healthcareThe Namibian
Trump administration did not see people in Africa as valuable
“"This administration did not see people in Africa as valuable," Offit says.”
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa cancelledThe Namibian
Trump administration expressed support for only a one-year renewal of Agoa while changes are discussed
“And the Trump administration has so far only expressed support for a one-year renewal while changes to the Bill are discussed.”
Iran pulls out of SA’s joint naval exercise amid political tensionsThe Namibian
Trump administration criticized the Venezuelan government over death of opposition figure in custody
“The US has criticised the Venezuelan government over the death of an opposition figure in custody, calling it a "reminder of the vile nature" of President Nicolás Maduro's regime.”
Death of Venezuelan opposition figure in custody ‘vile', US saysThe Namibian
the Trump administration is working for an end to the war together with the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia (the Quad)
“The Trump administration is working for an end to the war together with the UAE, as well as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who are allies of Sudan's military-led government, collectively known as the "Quad".”
US calls for international action to cut weapons supply to Sudan paramilitariesAccording to The Namibian, escalating conflict between the US and Iran has sent global energy prices soaring and disrupted maritime chokepoints critical to petroleum supply in southern Africa, causing measurable increases in fuel, food, and transport costs that are eroding household incomes across Namibia.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
According to The Namibian, escalating conflict between the US and Iran has sent global energy prices soaring and disrupted maritime chokepoints critical to petroleum supply in southern Africa, causing measurable increases in fuel, food, and transport costs that are eroding household incomes across Namibia.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The US Department of Justice says it will comply with a federal court ruling that temporarily blocked a $1.8bn "anti-weaponisation" fund designed to compensate people who claim unfair treatment by previous administrations, though the department disagrees with the decision.
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, was arrested after shots were fired inside the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night. Law enforcement officials said he told them he wanted to shoot officials in the Trump administration, and preliminary findings suggested he was targeting administration officials "likely" including President Donald Trump.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Amnesty International released a report calling on FIFA and the US, Canada and Mexico to protect fans and communities during the 2026 World Cup, warning that conditions in the host nations—particularly the US under the Trump administration—contrast sharply with FIFA's promise of safety and freedom, with concerns about ICE operations, travel bans for fans from certain nations, and risks to LGBTQ+ supporters.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
From 1 May 2026, Namibian exports will qualify for 100% duty-free access to the Chinese market under a "Pre-Early Harvest" arrangement, a preliminary phase of the China–Africa Economic Partnership. The Minister of International Relations and Trade said this represents a "massive opportunity" for small and medium enterprises, and provides Namibia with relief alongside the reauthorised AGOA programme with the U.S., allowing duty-free access to both markets through December 2026.
7 March 2026 · Informanté →
The US military is increasing materiel deliveries and intelligence sharing with Nigeria to counter Islamic State-linked militants, according to Africom's deputy commander, as part of broader American efforts to work with African militaries. The cooperation includes recent joint strikes and focus on intelligence support for Nigerian operations in the northwest and northeast, though analysts question whether air support alone can address armed groups rooted in poverty and state collapse.
27 January 2026 · New Era →
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot and killed by federal immigration agents during a scuffle on an icy roadway while participating in demonstrations against an immigration crackdown. Local officials and colleagues disputed Trump administration claims that Pretti intended to harm federal agents.
26 January 2026 · New Era →
The United States is pursuing five-year agreements linking health funding to mineral access across Africa under an "America First Global Health Strategy," raising concerns that Namibia could be pressured into a deal that trades resource sovereignty for health support. The arrangement ties health to geopolitical competition and pathogen-sharing commitments, prompting calls for parliamentary oversight and transparency in any negotiations.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →
US government funding cuts to USAID and PEPFAR in January 2025 have crippled HIV treatment services in Malawi, causing widespread staff layoffs, closure of clinics, and a sharp rise in treatment defaults and unplanned pregnancies. Healthcare workers warn that years of progress against HIV/AIDS are being undone, with vulnerable populations facing discrimination and a return of preventable deaths.
22 January 2026 · New Era →
A controversial $1.6 million US-funded study on hepatitis B vaccines in Guinea-Bissau newborns has been halted due to ethical concerns about withholding a proven vaccine in a country with high disease burden. The study design, which would have left half of participating children without access to the vaccine, drew criticism from medical professionals and ethics advocates before its planned January 5 launch.
18 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran has withdrawn from the joint naval exercise Will for Peace 2026 in False Bay, despite having sent three warships to the location. Reports suggest South Africa may have urged Iran's withdrawal to avoid antagonizing the US, particularly given concerns that South Africa could be excluded from the African Growth and Opportunity Act renewal due to its ties with Iran, China and Russia.
13 January 2026 · The Namibian →