At a time when the rules-based international order is in jeopardy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Japan has offered $30 billion in aid to the development of Africa, stating it wants to cooperate more closely with the continent.
Beijing’s “One Belt, One Road” infrastructure plan has helped it increase its influence on the continent. The eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), as it is officially known, is a result of this.
At a conference on Saturday in Tunisia, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared that Tokyo would do its best to ensure grain shipments to Africa amid a global scarcity.
“The implications will not only affect Africa but the entire world, if we give up on a rules-based society and permit unilateral changes in the status quo through force.”
According to Kishida, Japan would donate $30 billion over the course of three years and will collaborate with the African Development Bank to make a smaller food security pledge.
Following his takeover of a broad range of powers lawfully acquired through a constitutional referendum, the summit provided Tunisian President Kais Said with the country’s largest foreign platform since the 2019 election, which his detractors refer to as a coup.
Said urged delegations to “discover together means to accomplish the ambitions and dreams of the first post-independence generation of African peoples” in his opening remarks at the conference.
The success of Japan in “achieving growth while keeping its culture and social customs” was lauded by the speaker.
“Things cannot continue the way they are. With all of its resources, Africa cannot see its citizens escape poverty, he added.
Overwhelming Debt
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, TICAD has been convened every three years in either Africa or Japan. Saturday’s meeting was the first one to do so.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed at a campaign event last month, issued a warning to investors in the region not to place “excessive” debt on African nations.
At a news conference with the foreign minister of Japan on Friday, Tunisia’s Osman Gelandi reaffirmed his country’s dedication to democracy.
The summit also led to a fight between Tunisia and Morocco.
Said’s decision to organize the Polisario Front for independence in Western Sahara, which Rabat views as its own territory, infuriated Rabat.
A meeting between the ambassadors of Morocco and Tunisia has been called. Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario, was invited against Japan’s desires, according to Rabat. Tokyo has not yet responded.
Due to an impending public financial crisis that is being made worse by the increased demand for commodities globally, Tunisia itself needs financial assistance.
This week, retailers started restricting some commodities due to long lines at gas stations and fuel shortages.
