The Democratic Party walked away victorious in the United States' midterm elections, giving them power to take over both chambers of the US Congress. 

With them in power over the Republican Party, the Democrats can increase scrutiny into President Donald Trump's policies towards Africa, including decisions affecting Namibia.

For Namibia the implications include the US HIV funding programmes, trade relations under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and American interests in the country's mining and energy sectors.

The US is expected to end its funding for Namibia's HIV response under PEPFAR, with US$45 million allocated for the 2027 financial year as part of the transition before the full withdrawal.

The funding transition follows changes in the Trump administration's approach to foreign assistance and its engagement with partner countries.

Another issue is AGOA, which provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market. 

However, countries such as South Africa and Rwanda could lose their AGOA benefits from 1 January 2027, following a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump, citing concerns over trade barriers, investment, national security and foreign policy interests.

With the Democrats securing control of the US Senate and House of Representatives in midterm elections, this gives them a slice of power in overseeing the Trump administration's decisions regarding foreign policies, funding assistance, trade legislation and oversight of the Trump administration's decision.

Local Public Policy Analyst Dr Marius Kudomo shared his views.

"I think what is important for us to understand is that, especially in terms of foreign relations, the foreign policy of the United States is what we call the realism theory of international relations.

And it's underpinned by this belief that the world is anarchic; it's in disorder. It's only the strong one that will survive. And if necessary, you must use force. So whether it is Democrats or the Republicans, they apply the realist theory of international relations."

He, however, noted that this does not automatically mean that existing policies will be reversed, as President Trump still remains in power.

"So it's a very difficult situation. That's why we are saying it's not easy to predict. But I think President Trump will be very careful about what to do and how to do things because it is costly actually in the long term. But we can't predict with certainty because of the type of person that you are dealing with. Everything that we studied in international relations, President Trump has made them irrelevant."