WATCH | Former ambassador calls USAID a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ destabilising Africa

Cape Town – Former African Union Ambassador to the United States, Arikana Chihombori-Quao, has accused the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of using humanitarian aid as a cover to destabilise African governments.

In a powerful interview with Al Jazeera’s The Bottom Line, Chihombori-Quao, a long-time critic of foreign influence in Africa, argued that the true purpose of these organisations is to exert political control, rather than support development.

“They’re using that open access, sounding humanitarian, to constantly destabilise governments,” Chihombori-Quao said.

She went on to claim that while these organisations present themselves as working to improve sectors like healthcare and education, they are actually failing to deliver meaningful change.

“We need to understand the real reason why USAID is in Africa, and not just USAID, but other NGOs They are coming in claiming that they’re introducing grassroots initiatives that are going to help the people, and so they use that as a way to go into the most remote parts of Africa. When you look at it on paper, it all looks really good, but they’re actually wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

It was ALL a lie. The real reason USAID was in Africa

Former African Union Ambassador to the United States, Arikana Chihombori-Quao:

“They’re using that open access, sounding humanitarian, to constantly destabilize governments”

“We need to understand the real reason why USAID… pic.twitter.com/P3S4MEUDMy

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 23, 2025

Chihombori-Quao’s statements cast a critical light on the billions of dollars allocated to USAID by US taxpayers, with the former ambassador asserting that only a fraction of that money reaches the African people.

“The American taxpayer needs to know the billions of dollars that are being given to USAID. A fraction is making it to the people,” she said.

She questioned the tangible outcomes of USAID’s interventions, asking, “Show me one country that USAID was in and education improved. Show me one country where USAID was in and healthcare improved?”

The comments have struck a chord in parts of Africa, where scepticism about the effectiveness and motives of foreign aid organisations has been growing.

According to Chihombori-Quao, many African leaders, as well as those in other developing countries, are celebrating the exit of USAID, seeing it as a step toward greater independence and sovereignty.

“They’re using that open access sounding humanitarian to constantly destabilize governments. I can tell you right now, the majority of African leaders, and not just African leaders, but leaders in the developing world are celebrating the exit of USAID,” she said.

The US government, through USAID, has been a major player in Africa’s development for decades, with billions of dollars earmarked for initiatives across the continent.