US to halt PEPFAR HIV aid to South Africa

The Trump administration has initiated a phased termination of U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS programs in South Africa under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), citing South Africa's failure to meet certain policy demands. A State Department official confirmed the decision on Friday, June 19, 2026, stating the drawdown would begin following South Africa's lack of "demonstrable progress on policy requests by the administration."

The policy requests, according to officials and congressional aides, include demands that South Africa repeal or provide exemptions from its Black Economic Empowerment laws, condemn racially charged political rhetoric, prevent land expropriation without compensation, and reduce its partnerships with nations like Iran. The administration has also repeatedly raised allegations concerning the safety of South Africa's white Afrikaner minority, which the South African government disputes.

PEPFAR, launched in 2003, has provided over $8 billion to South Africa, which has the world's largest population of people living with HIV at approximately 8 million people. The program has historically funded a significant portion of the country's HIV...