On Saturday, Japan pledged $30 billion in aid for African development, saying it wants to work more closely with the continent as the rules-based international order is under threat due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a Japan-Africa summit in Tunisia that Tokyo would work to ensure grain shipments to Africa in the face of a global shortage.
“If we abandon a rules-based society and allow unilateral changes to the status quo by force, the consequences will be felt not only in Africa but throughout the world,” Kishida said via videolink after testing positive for COVID-19.
Kishida stated that the $30 billion would be delivered over three years, with smaller amounts promised for food security in coordination with the African Development Bank.
The summit provides Tunisian President Kais Saied with his largest international platform since his election in 2019. It comes after he seized broad powers, formally enshrined in a constitutional referendum, a move his critics call a coup.
During a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart on Friday, Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi repeatedly emphasised Tunisia’s commitment to democracy, which has been questioned by Saied’s critics.
The summit sparked a spat between Tunisia and Morocco, which was enraged by Saied’s decision to invite the Polisario movement, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, a territory Rabat claims.
Morocco and Tunisia have summoned their respective ambassadors for consultations. Rabat claimed that the invitation to Polisario leader Brahim Ghali was made against Japan’s wishes. Tokyo has yet to respond.
Tunisia is in need of financial assistance as it faces a looming public-finance crisis exacerbated by the global commodity price squeeze. Due to a fuel shortage, long lines have formed at gas stations this week, and stores have begun rationing some goods.
