Fear, pain and hunger: The dire impact of shutting down USAID in Africa, leaving a vacuum for China and Russia

essentialsaltes · Thursday at 2:57 PM

Elon Musk, State Department workers to be deposed over DOGE dismantling USAID

Elon Musk and State Department officials must sit for depositions over their role in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

The big picture: The order is a win for the anonymous USAID employees suing over what they say was an unlawful effort by officials of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to gut the world's largest humanitarian aid organization.

Lukaris · Saturday at 5:32 AM

Yet there is valid evidence of corruption at the top of the former agency.

This Foreign Aid Agency Locked Its Doors To Keep DOGE Out. Now We Know Why.

DAILY WIRE LONGREADS: This piece of long-form investigative journalism is adapted from a recent four-part series.When the Department of Government Efficiency showed up at a small USAID-linked federal agency called the African Development Foundation in March, its management locked the doors and...

www.dailywire.com

Top Official Of USAID-Linked Foreign Aid Agency To Plead Guilty To Taking Bribes

The chief financial officer of the African Development Foundation, a federal agency affiliated with USAID, will plead guilty to steering grants and contracts in exchange for bribes.The previously-obscure African Development Foundation became a darling of the Left when its CFO, Mathieu Zahui...

www.dailywire.com

That this agency is linked to funds going to the Wuhan labs and the Covid 19 fallout.

USAID-funded pandemic research failed to spot COVID or ensure Chinese transparency

There remains many open questions about whether the agency's funding played some role in the creation of COVID-19 in a Wuhan laboratory.

reason.com

An average taxpayer has to wonder what all of this is about.

Rand Paul's annual Festivus report highlights $1.6 trillion in wasteful spending

These wasteful boondoggles add up. So do the programs that many Americans insist are important but refuse to reform.

reason.com

It seems like the tragedy is ongoing but a former bureaucracy that earned its living off of it is suing to get its jobs back.

Bradskii · Saturday at 3:10 PM

Lukaris said:
Yet there is valid evidence of corruption at the top of the former agency.

And..? If someone is corrupt then charge him or her with corruption. What on earth has that to do with cutting aid to hundreds of thousands?

sjastro · Saturday at 3:20 PM

Sif said:
When you have something intelligent to say then I'll respond.

Don't hold your breath.

Lukaris · Saturday at 3:55 PM

Bradskii said:
And..? If someone is corrupt then charge him or her with corruption. What on earth has that to do with cutting aid to hundreds of thousands?

Possible corruption at the top and money going to

Bradskii said:
And..? If someone is corrupt then charge him or her with corruption. What on earth has that to do with cutting aid to hundreds of thousands?

Corruption at the top and reckless funding to gain of function mishandling at Wuhan labs contributing to a pandemic are truly red flags. When funding was cut instant dubious, apocalyptic death projections were quickly published & easily believed. What was actually going on & being accomplished?

Bradskii · Saturday at 4:16 PM

Lukaris said:
Possible corruption at the top and money going to

Corruption at the top and reckless funding to gain of function mishandling at Wuhan labs contributing to a pandemic are truly red flags. When funding was cut instant dubious, apocalyptic death projections were quickly published & easily believed. What was actually going on & being accomplished?

Again, what on EARTH has that got to do with ending all US aid? If there are specific problems within a specific department then deal specifically with them. Otherwise this would be a like shutting down the government because you suspect someone in the Whitehouse has done something wrong.

Always in His Presence · Saturday at 5:11 PM

from a cursory inquiry from AI

Here’s a **list of well-documented fraud, bribery, and corruption cases connected to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—mainly focusing on prosecutions, official findings, and settlements where USAID funds were involved or misused. Most involve contractors, officials, or awardees misappropriating U.S. taxpayer money under USAID-related programs:

Major Fraud & Corruption Cases Involving USAID

1. $550 Million Bribery and Contract Steering Scheme (2013–2022)

A USAID contracting officer, Roderick Watson, and three corporate executives (Walter Barnes, Darryl Britt, Paul Young) pleaded guilty to a long-running bribery conspiracy.
They steered at least 14 prime contracts worth more than $550 million toward two firms (Apprio, Inc. and Vistant) in exchange for cash, mortgages, luxury perks, gifts, and other benefits.
The companies also admitted liability in connection with securities fraud.
This is one of the largest corruption schemes involving USAID-funded procurement.

2. Pakistan Power Program Kickback Scheme (~2015)

Atif Hussein Gillani, a contractor on a USAID-funded power distribution program, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and kickbacks.
He and a co-conspirator created companies to obtain purchase orders and then shared the profits, defrauding USAID of nearly $100 000.

3. Fraud Scheme by Former Contractor — Pakistan USAID Program (2025)

Stephen Paul Edmund Sutton, a former contractor on a USAID-funded project, pleaded guilty to participating in a fraud scheme.
He was extradited to the U.S. and sentenced for his crimes involving misuse of USAID-related funds.

4. Wire Fraud Charges — South Africa USAID Project (2014–2023)

Ruth Chisina Mufute, working under a USAID cooperative agreement, was charged with conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud.
She falsely claimed housing allowances by misrepresenting ownership and rental status.

5. Civil Settlements for Fraud Linked to USAID Contracts & Grants (Various Years)
Several contractors and NGOs have paid significant settlements under the False Claims Act for fraud related to USAID funding, including:

Louis Berger Group: paid $69 million in 2010 for overcharging costs and false billing on Afghanistan/Iraq road and bridge contracts.
Harbert Companies: $47 million in 2012 for bid-rigging on a sewage system project in Egypt.
Three water infrastructure contractors in Egypt: $13.5 million over concealment of ineligible partners.
Academy for Educational Development (part of FHI360): $5 million for false claims concerning work in Afghanistan/Pakistan (reporting inaccuracies and compliance failures).

6. NGO Implementer Misconduct in Africa (~2023)
USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) found bribery, conflicts of interest, procurement fraud, and falsified records by staff of an NGO funded by USAID under a $4.7 million project. Documentation was falsified to support improper payments, though criminal prosecution was declined.

Was anyone crying over the children as these became wealthy?

Pommer · Saturday at 5:22 PM

essentialsaltes said:
Elon Musk, State Department workers to be deposed over DOGE dismantling USAID
Elon Musk and State Department officials must sit for depositions over their role in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

The big picture: The order is a win for the anonymous USAID employees suing over what they say was an unlawful effort by officials of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to gut the world's largest humanitarian aid organization.

Think of the “savings” though! (0.4% of the discretionary funds!)

Lukaris · Saturday at 6:16 PM

Bradskii said:
Again, what on EARTH has that got to do with ending all US aid? If there are specific problems within a specific department then deal specifically with them. Otherwise this would be a like shutting down the government because you suspect someone in the Whitehouse has done something wrong.

They haven’t ended aid; they have reduced aid. There is a policy to form economic partnerships involving aid, to reduce dependence on foreign aid, and try to achieve greater self sufficiency for other nations. This isn’t intended to make nations economic dependents on the US; it is a shift away from working with the UN.

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/America-First-Global-Health-Strategy-Report.pdf

This seems like a practical and workable initiative. It is intended to help others stand on their feet, not to abandon them. If Trump could keep himself from acting like Crusty the Clown, this could achieve positive results.

A recent partnership with Kenya is an example of this:

https://www.president.go.ke/kenya-us-seal-historic-government-to-government-health-partnership/

Bradskii · Saturday at 6:43 PM

Lukaris said:
They haven’t ended aid; they have reduced aid.

From AI:

As of early 2026, USAID has not been restored to its previous status. Following a major 2025 restructuring, the agency largely ceased to exist as an independent entity, with 83% of programs canceled and remaining functions moved under the State Department.

Bradskii · Saturday at 6:52 PM

Lukaris said:
A recent partnership with Kenya is an example of this:

What a wonderful idea: Hotbed of corruption: Kenya’s elite have captured the state – unrest is inevitable

'Corruption is deeply entrenched in Kenya and has been synonymous with politics and public service since independence, in the 1960s.

Corruption has become part of how public institutions work and government is full of corrupt individuals. It’s prevalent at every level and affects access to essential services such as water, education and healthcare. Bribery, extortion and kickbacks are some of the key forms of corruption in public service delivery and production.

Lukaris · Monday at 1:48 PM

Bradskii said:
From AI:

As of early 2026, USAID has not been restored to its previous status. Following a major 2025 restructuring, the agency largely ceased to exist as an independent entity, with 83% of programs canceled and remaining functions moved under the State Department.

USAID was reduced particular to its elimination as an agency. US foreign aid was reduced by less than 20% which is not including funds being applied to health partnerships with other African nations.

Congress passes $50 billion foreign aid bill, despite Trump's cuts in 2025

Congress allocated $50 billion for initiatives aimed at supporting democracy, scholarship programs, U.S. embassy operations and health and humanitarian programs around the world.

www.wusf.org

Lukaris · Monday at 2:00 PM

Bradskii said:
What a wonderful idea: Hotbed of corruption: Kenya’s elite have captured the state – unrest is inevitable

'Corruption is deeply entrenched in Kenya and has been synonymous with politics and public service since independence, in the 1960s.

Corruption has become part of how public institutions work and government is full of corrupt individuals. It’s prevalent at every level and affects access to essential services such as water, education and healthcare. Bribery, extortion and kickbacks are some of the key forms of corruption in public service delivery and production.

So if corruption is so bad in Kenya, maybe more direct US involvement can achieve better results. For ex. an initiative involving the US army.

US civil affairs Soldiers, Kenyan partners strengthen relationships with a medical camp

I don’t claim to know the answers or outcomes from developments in the last year. I just try to look for possible positive initiatives and outcomes. Maybe because it isn’t so conveniently negative for political agendas disappoints some.

Bradskii · Monday at 11:55 PM

Lukaris said:
USAID was reduced particular to its elimination as an agency. US foreign aid was reduced by less than 20% which is not including funds being applied to health partnerships with other African nations.

Congress passes $50 billion foreign aid bill, despite Trump's cuts in 2025

Congress allocated $50 billion for initiatives aimed at supporting democracy, scholarship programs, U.S. embassy operations and health and humanitarian programs around the world.

www.wusf.org

With everything that's been going on in the last month or so, that flew under the radar as far as I'm concerned. I don't want to be petty and argue the fact that it's dropped 20%. All things considered, especially as this was a bi partisan effort, it can only be described as a good thing compared to what Trump actually wanted.

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Fear, pain and hunger: The dire impact of shutting down USAID in Africa, leaving a vacuum for China and Russia

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