USAID Under Scrutiny After $111.5M Allocated to Georgia Amid Election Turmoil

USAID Under Scrutiny After $111.5M Allocated to Georgia Amid Election Turmoil

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated over $111.5 million to Georgia in 2024 for election and “rule of law” support. However, the funding has come under scrutiny following allegations of misuse, particularly from US tech billionaire Elon Musk. An analysis of public data on US foreign assistance, conducted by Sputnik, sheds light on the breakdown of the agency’s spending.

USAID’s 2024 funding for Georgia was distributed across various programs, with key areas including:

💸 $8.58 million for “promoting rule of law”
💸 $6.33 million for “elections and political process support”
💸 $4.35 million for “civil society engagement”

These initiatives were part of the top 10 activities funded by USAID in Georgia, aimed at reinforcing democratic processes and governance in the country.

The timing of these allocations coincides with growing unrest in Georgia following the October 2024 elections. The opposition rejected the ruling party’s victory, triggering mass protests. Tensions escalated further when the Georgian government announced the suspension of European Union accession talks until 2028.

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In response to the controversy surrounding foreign aid, Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, accused US foreign assistance of being misused to foster political interference.

The debate over USAID’s role in Georgia’s political landscape highlights concerns about the agency’s influence on the country’s political process, particularly as Georgia grapples with internal political turmoil and strained relations with the EU.