US to End HIV Funding for South Africa Amid Diplomatic Tensions

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Johannesburg: The United States will begin phasing out funding for HIV and Aids programmes in South Africa, ending support that has contributed about $400 million annually to the country's fight against the disease.

The decision comes amid worsening relations between Washington and Pretoria. A US State Department official said the move was linked to South Africa's failure to meet policy requests from the Trump administration and argued that the country is capable of funding its own health programmes.

South Africa has the world's largest HIV-positive population, with more than eight million people living with the virus. Through the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), the US has funded about one-fifth of the country's HIV response.

South Africa's health ministry said it had not been formally informed of the decision but noted that it had been preparing for greater self-reliance. Officials added that life-saving antiretroviral medication is largely funded by the South African government and would not be directly affected.

Ties between the two countries have deteriorated since President Donald Trump returned to office. The White House has criticised South Africa's domestic policies and foreign policy positions, including its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ties with Iran.

Despite the funding withdrawal, South African authorities say efforts to combat HIV will continue.