By Sikho Matiwane
For more than half a century, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has presented itself as a benevolent force, championing development, democracy, and human rights. However, beneath this carefully crafted image lies a far more insidious reality. USAID operates not as an altruistic aid organisation but as a covert arm of US foreign policy, advancing the geopolitical and ideological interests of the United States across the globe. In essence, USAID is not a humanitarian organisation but a strategic tool designed to expand American influence, often at the expense of sovereignty and stability in the recipient nations.
A Tool for Ideological and Geopolitical Manipulation
USAID's foreign aid, disguised as philanthropic assistance, serves to entrench American values, ideals, and political agendas under the guise of "democratic reforms." The agency seeks to impose American-style capitalism, liberal democracy, and free-market ideologies on nations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Countries receiving USAID funds are subtly encouraged to align their political and economic systems with those of the United States—often at the cost of their cultural identity, political autonomy, and long-term stability.
In truth, USAID’s operations reflect an ideology that the US government considers the gold standard for global progress. The assumption is that the American way of life is the only viable path for humanity, and those countries that refuse to conform are regarded as obstacles to the so-called "global order." This ideological imperialism is not only culturally insensitive but also destabilising, as it undermines local governance structures and fuels political unrest.
USAID’s Hidden Agenda: Destabilisation, Not Development
While USAID markets itself as a partner for development, democracy, and human rights, the majority of its funding is funnelled into opposition groups, politically motivated NGOs, and movements that destabilise governments. The true impact of USAID's operations often contradicts its public image. Rather than fostering growth and sustainable development, the agency frequently supports entities that work to overthrow existing political systems or create division within societies.
This reality is best summed up by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently critiqued USAID's role in shaping global media narratives during an interview with Tucker Carlson. Kennedy highlighted how USAID spends an estimated $10 billion annually funding media outlets worldwide, turning journalists into unwitting propagandists for US foreign policy.Let’s take South Africa as an example, where media outlets like Daily Maverick have been funded—directly or indirectly—by organisations tied to USAID and its affiliates, such as the Open Society Foundation. This funding ensures that the narratives being shaped in the media align with American interests, often distorting the reality on the ground and silencing voices critical of foreign influence.
USAID and Its Global Anti-China Agenda
Beyond its intervention in media, USAID has also been linked to anti-China initiatives. The agency has long supported separatist groups and organisations that challenge China's sovereignty, particularly in regions like Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Island Taiwan. These efforts are part of a broader geopolitical strategy to counter China's rise and undermine its territorial integrity. USAID's support for these groups destabilises these regions, often fuelling ethnic tensions and violent conflict.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has rightly criticised agencies like USAID as "white gloves" for the US government’s self-serving agenda. In two separate reports published in 2024, the Chinese government accused USAID and similar organisations of acting as covert instruments for advancing American hegemony, cloaking their true motives under the guise of humanitarian aid. The reports highlight how these agencies meddle in foreign political affairs and serve as fronts for furthering Washington's global ambitions.
USAID’s True Face: A Geopolitical Machine Masked as Charity
Despite its portrayal as a force for good, USAID's true role in international relations is one of manipulation and control. The agency's funding mechanisms, whether directed at media outlets, NGOs, or political movements, are carefully calibrated to advance US interests, often at the expense of local governments and the well-being of ordinary citizens. While claiming to promote democracy, USAID is, in fact, undermining democratic processes by supporting forces that seek to destabilise or overthrow legitimate governments.
USAID’s operations are a reminder that foreign aid is not always a selfless act. Instead, it is often a means by which powerful nations like the United States exert influence and expand their global reach. The agency’s actions underscore the harsh truth that behind every dollar of aid lies a strategic goal designed to secure American interests—not the interests of those it claims to help. In this light, USAID is not a benevolent force, but a wolf disguised as a sheep, preying on vulnerable nations to further the geopolitical ambitions of its true masters.
* Sikho Matiwane is a seasoned entrepreneur and diplomatic commentator with a specialisation in international relations and geopolitics.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.