Nigeria, June 20 -- The United States government has announced plans to phase out funding for HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa, citing policy disputes and worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The decision, reported by BBC News Worldwide, affects support provided through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), marking a major shift in one of the world's largest HIV response partnerships.

The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Pretoria over South Africa's domestic and foreign policies, including US concerns over policies affecting the white Afrikaner minority.

According to the report, a US State Department official said a "phased drawdown" of PEPFAR funding in South Africa wou...