Why is the US ending AIDS funding for South Africa?

For two decades, PEPFAR, the US program to curb AIDS/HIV, enjoyed support and financial backing from both Republicans and Democrats, saving an estimated 26 million lives in what is described as the largest ever commitment by any nation to address a single disease.

Previous presidents - including Donald Trump in his first term - continued to praise and support the effort. But last week, the State Department announced that it would be ending its support for PEPFAR in South Africa. The UN has warned the decision could end up costing lives.

US officials told the BBC that the funding cut was in part a response to South Africa's alleged failure to protect the white-minority Afrikaner community, an accusation Pretoria rejects.

Asma speaks to the BBC’s Senior Africa Producer Ed Habershon about what drove this decision and what the impact could be.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth, Valerio Esposito and Aron Keller

Executive producer: Bridget Harney

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Digital producer: Richard Kenny

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Bottles of antiretroviral ARV drugs used to prevent HIV. Credit: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters

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