By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah said that he regrets Morocco’s absence from the 8th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD).
On Friday, Morocco decided to boycott the conference, which is taking place in Tunis this Saturday and Sunday, after Tunisia’s President Kais Saied invited Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to the TICAD. Saied’s sudden ditch of country’s decades of neutrality regarding the Western Sahara dossier resulted in rising tensions between Rabat and Tunis.
“Liberia expresses regret over Morocco’s absence from TICAD-8. We are surprised by the imposed presence of a delegation [representatives of the Polisario Front] in violation of TICAD procedures”, said Kemayah on the opening day of the summit.
Over 300 personalities are in Tunisia for the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, is leading the South African delegation at the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Summit.
The summit is organised by the Japanese government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC).
“The 8th TICAD Summit highlight the close connection between Japan and Africa, as well as set out a pathway for African development, looking ahead to the post-pandemic era,” said Dirco.
“It comprises of the plenary sessions and the Japan-Africa Business Forum.”
In addition, the plenary sessions discuss the economy, society, peace and stability.
The African Heads of State, the Japanese government, as well as representatives of the private sector such as the Japan Business Federation and Japan Association of Corporate Executives, are attending the meeting.
Also forming part of the programme is the presentation of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
“The main purpose of the prize is to honour individuals and organisations with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind,” the statement read.
TICAD was launched in 1993 by the Government of Japan, to promote Africa’s development, peace and security, through the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership.