In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Japan committed $30 billion in funding for development in Africa on Saturday, stating that it wanted to cooperate more closely with the continent.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared during a Japan-Africa summit in Tunisia that Tokyo would do its best to secure grain shipments to Africa despite a global scarcity.
“If we give up on a rules-based society and permit unilateral changes of the status quo by force, the impact of that will extend not only through Africa, but all the world,” Kishida said by videolink after testing positive for COVID-19.
Kishida promised lower amounts for food security in collaboration with the African Development Bank and stated that the $30 billion will be distributed over three years.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi was quoted by Tunisia's official news agency as saying that Tunisia would receive $100 million from Japan to assist lessen the effects of the pandemic.
The gathering comes after Tunisian President Kais Saied grabbed extensive powers, officially institutionalised through a constitutional referendum, a move his detractors label a coup, and has given him his biggest international platform since his 2019 election.
Speaking on Friday at a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart, Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi repeatedly emphasised Tunisia’s commitment to democracy, which has been questioned by Saied’s critics.
The summit has triggered a row between Tunisia and Morocco, which was angered by Saied’s decision to invite the Polisario movement that seeks independence for Western Sahara, a territory Rabat regards as its own.
Morocco and Tunisia have recalled their ambassadors from each other’s countries for consultations. Rabat said the decision to invite Polisario leader Brahim Ghali was made against Japan’s wishes. Tokyo has yet to comment.
Tunisia is itself in need of financial support as it faces a looming crisis in public finances that has been worsened by the global squeeze on commodities. This week long queues have formed at petrol stations amid a fuel shortage, while shops have started rationing some goods.