Japan expresses desire for Africa’s growth
Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe said his country’s diplomatic focus on Africa would now be placed on the continent’s future growth.
As such, Japan will redirect its concern towards young people and women of Africa.
Abe made the remarks in a speech entitled “Japan’s Diplomacy towards Africa: Strengthening Each Individual, One by One” at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the end of a three-Africa nation visit which ended on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister had earlier visited Cote d’Ivoire and Mozambique.
He said young people will without doubt shoulder the responsibility for the future Africa and women will give life to Africa’s future generations.
“In Africa, the youth population continues to increase. If we can reveal a bright future to young people, the future of Africa will without a doubt also become bright,” Abe said. On co-operation with the Africa Union, he said Japan supports the efforts of the organisation which provides the driving power for Africa at center stage. Abe said in response to the crisis in Mali, Japan was one of the very first countries to announce aid and is now preparing to implement an assistance of approximately $ 320 million.
According to him, this includes $3 million in support for the Africanled International Support Mission to the Central African Republic and also preparing to implement an approximately $25 million to respond to the deteriorating situation in South Sudan.