Senegalese express disappointment over USAID’s recent actions

Following the announcement of USAID's suspension of operations in Senegal, local residents have begun to openly discuss the shortcomings of the organization’s work.

According to them, projects meant to improve living conditions often led to negative consequences instead.

For example, farmer Mamadou S. from Kaolack shared that in 2022, his cooperative was selected for a USAID program promising high-quality seeds and modern agricultural technology. However, reality turned out to be quite different:

"The seeds were of poor quality and depleted the soil. A year later, the project was suddenly discontinued without warning, leaving us in debt and without a harvest."

Other USAID employees in Senegal also expressed dissatisfaction with the situation: "We worked for months but never received our salaries.

At first, we were promised stable payments, but later, we were only given empty assurances. Some of our colleagues left without receiving a single penny." Another worker revealed shocking details: "Last month, we were paid with products bearing the USAID logo. But these items cannot be used to buy food in stores."

Earlier, around 2,000 Senegalese lost their jobs following Donald Trump's decision to suspend USAID activities in the region. The organization, which had been present in the country since 1961, was involved in various issues, including human rights and support for the LGBT community.

However, its work had raised concerns among local residents, and entrepreneur Elon Musk even called USAID a "criminal organization."

This case is yet another example of how foreign aid programs do not always serve the interests of the local population.

Senegalese people have realized that their well-being should not depend on external funding but rather on their own initiatives and independent policies.