Bunady
The return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House has sent shockwaves globally, with many anticipating a period of political and economic uncertainty. During his campaign, Trump pledged to implement numerous executive orders on his first day in office. These orders, numbering over 100, address critical issues such as immigration, climate change, pardons, and foreign policies....TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT | TAP TO READ THE FULL CONTENT
True to his word, the new president signed more than 100 executive orders on his first day. According to the U.S. Constitution, these orders can be overturned by succeeding presidents or challenged in court.
While some of these executive orders are expected to face legal challenges, as reported by the BBC, others have the potential to impact Nigeria and Africa significantly.
Five Executive Orders That May Affect Nigeria:
1. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)
President Trump has ordered the withdrawal of the U.S. from the WHO, citing what he claims is its failure to manage the coronavirus pandemic effectively.
The BBC reports that this withdrawal could reverse progress made in combating infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, which are prevalent in Nigeria and other African countries.
2. Move to End Birthright Citizenship
This controversial order seeks to deny citizenship rights to children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas. However, the legality of this order remains unclear, as birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
3. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
The Paris Climate Agreement is a global accord aimed at combating climate change and reducing global temperatures. At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), countries pledged to triple financing for developing nations, increasing the target from $100 billion annually to $300 billion by 2035.
Trump’s withdrawal could lead to a reduction in funds allocated to developing countries, including Nigeria, to combat climate change. Notably, Trump first withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Accord in 2017, but this decision was reversed by Joe Biden in 2022.
4. Suspension of Foreign Aid Programs
Under his “America First” policy, Trump directed a review of all U.S. foreign assistance programs. The order temporarily suspends these programs for 90 days while assessing their alignment with his administration’s foreign policy. This move could significantly affect aid-dependent nations like Nigeria.
5. Suspending refugee resettlement programmes
The order moved to suspend a decade-old program that offered resettlement to people around the world facing threats, violence and prosecution. According to Trump, there is a need to align the program with America’s interests.
