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Japan vows ‘sustainable development’ in Africa

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Japan says it is dedicated to more ‘sustainable development’ for Africa as it strives to be a relevant and distinct partner to other world powers seeking a share of the continent.

Last week, Japan hosted the 9th ministerial conference of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad-9), which brought together foreign ministers from around Africa.

The Tokyo gathering, as is customary, was held in preparation for the Ninth Summit, which will be held in Yokohama in August 2025. Ticad was founded 31 years ago to assist establish a forum for talks about African development.

Since then, several world powers have announced their summits, including China, the United States, India, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Last Monday, Japan reaffirmed its previous year’s appeal to not exploit Africa and to strive for Africa’s representation at the highest levels, including the UN Security Council, where it lacks a permanent seat. However, it suffers a trade deficit that benefits it, which African leaders have frequently discussed.

Some ministers acknowledged Japan’s contribution to Africa’s development but emphasised that global shifts require the two sides to modify their relationship.

According to Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, such collaboration should prioritise job creation for the country’s growing youth population, advance agricultural development, foster trade, and drive digital transformation – all of which are critical for promoting inclusive and long-term growth.

“I proposed the integration of funding and technology in agriculture to enhance the sector’s resilience to climate change and stressed the importance of addressing the issues faced by youth and women from a south –south cooperation perspective,” Mr Mudavadi, said after the meeting in Tokyo.

Kenya, one of Africa’s most indebted countries, has been advocating for a rethinking of the global financial architecture, including in lending institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, of which Japan is a key member, and frequently operates in a group of lenders known as the Paris Club. Mudavadi made the same call in Japan.

Mudavadi issued the same call in Japan. A Joint Communiqué issued after the meeting on Thursday last week said Tokyo seeks a strong partnership between the African Union and its members, which it said will be under three main pillars of Society, Peace and Stability, and Economy. Ministers from nations including Kenya were in attendance to explore how to “co-create innovative solutions with Africa.”

“We jointly explored innovative solutions for Africa that reflect, and respond to, current global challenges,” read the joint statement by Japan representative and 42 countries, including Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

“In this context, we took four overarching approaches into consideration, namely connectivity; women, youth and Women, Peace and Security (WPS)public-private partnerships.”

Africa has been a key global region for Japanese trade and investment. Japan had considerable historical experience with Africa but had little interest in economic ties with the continent other than the development of raw materials.

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Almost a million people displaced by floods in West Africa

Published

1 week ago

September 9, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Almost 950,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Mali, Nigeria, and Niger as a result of the recent torrential rains and flooding.

The hundreds of thousands of children who are being displaced are at risk for sickness, starvation due to agricultural destruction, and disruptions to their schooling, as warned by the non-governmental organisation Save the Children on Friday, September 6.

In West Africa, this is typically the rainiest period of the year, but this year’s rains have been more than usual.

Of the 36 states in Nigeria, 29 have experienced widespread flooding. The two main rivers, the Niger and the Benue, are now at higher water levels due to the heavy downpour, which has caused dams to overflow.

Gao in the northeast and three Malian regions in the west have been affected. Floods that started in May in neighbouring Niger have devastated all eight districts, sweeping away homes and leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. According to Save the Children, the Maradi region in the southern part of the country was primarily affected.

In the three nations, there have been at least 460 fatalities.

With 15,656 infected children or almost 51% of the total number of affected children in Mali, the Segou region is the most affected.

In response to the floods in Adamawa state, Nigeria, Save the Children is providing foldable mattresses, blankets, and supplies for hygiene and sanitation to the most vulnerable homes, particularly those with elderly and children.

Africa is dealing with many climate-related issues. While rainfall has had disastrous impacts in nations like Sudan, Uganda, and the Central African Republic over the past two years, Eastern Africa struggles with drought. Climate change has been connected to the developments.

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US sends 10,000 doses of mpox vaccinations to Nigeria

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Nigeria has received 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This is the first batch of the vaccine to get to the country, which has already reported 40 cases but no deaths.

The head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, said that the gift was a “critical step” for Nigeria.

“We are aware that the vaccine is not exactly in surplus supply. I believe we’re getting 10,000 of the about 200,000 doses that are available globally,” Aina said in a statement

According to a statement from USAID, the Nigerian government has chosen to give the vaccines to five states first: Bayelsa, Edo, Cross-River, and Lagos.

The NHPCDA hasn’t said when the shots will be sent out or who will get treatment first.

“We encourage the Government of Nigeria to continue to mobilize domestic resources to secure more vaccines to combat mpox,” U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills said at the handover ceremony of the vaccines to the Nigerian government.

Mpox is a virus that can be passed from person to person through close contact, but it can also be passed from place to person through things and surfaces that a person with mpox has touched.