Visit to African countries by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Ethiopia, Angola, and South Africa)
(Outline and Evaluation)
September 6, 2002
1. Outline
Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi visited Ethiopia (August 26-27) and Angola (August 27-29) before attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in the Republic of South Africa. During the visit, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi had exchanges of views with prominent members of both governments on bilateral relations and regional affairs amongst other issues, and met informally with those working in the field of economic assistance. Ms. Kawaguchi also visited sites where ODA projects as well as landmine removal programmes are being carried out. In Ethiopia, the Foreign Minister had an opportunity to deliver a speech on Japan's policy toward Africa at the joint invitation of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). In South Africa, the Foreign Minister hosted an "Africa Lunch" where she had informal discussions with approximately 25 African Ministers including Foreign Ministers, and had the Japan-South Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
(1) Ethiopia (August 26 - 27)
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Prime Minister Mr. Meles Zenawi and had ministerial talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, to exchange views on the regional affairs and synergy between TICAD and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Prime Minister Meles expressed great appreciation and expectation for the TICAD Process and had an exchange of views on Asian-African cooperation. At the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) of the ECA, Ms. Kawaguchi expressed in her policy speech Japan's determination to advance with Africa hand in hand, referring to the ongoing efforts in preparation for TICAD III.
In addition, the Foreign Minister emphasized the contribution being made by Japan's ODA, through the visit of post-Polio rehabilitation facilities and informal talks with those working in the field of economic assistance (members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), experts dispatched from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and NGO staff from Japan).
(2) Angola (August 27 - 29)
Ms. Kawaguchi paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos and had ministerial talks with Minister of External Relations Joao Bernardo de Miranda on the country's situation after the conflict and Japan's contribution to the consolidation of peace including the removal of landmines. The Angolan side expressed their appreciation toward Japan's assistance and expectation for the reconstruction assistance. The Foreign Minister also visited Huambo, the most grueling battlefield of the civil war, to observe the landmine removal programmes and emphasized Japan's willingness to contribute in the area of landmine removal. (Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan had visited Angola immediately before the Foreign Minister did. Secretary of State Colin Powell of the United States visited Angola after the WSSD in September).
(3) South Africa (August 29- September 5)
Ms. Kawaguchi had talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. N.C. Dlamini Zuma, utilizing the opportunity to discuss WSSD. They exchanged views on Japan-South Africa bilateral relations and reconfirmed a favorable relations existing between the two countries. The Foreign Minister also hosted an "Africa Lunch" at which she had informal discussions with approximately 25 African Ministers.
2. Evaluation
(1) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi visited Africa amid the peak of attention given to Africa directly before the opening of the WSSD and delivered a speech on Japan's policy toward Africa. This visit left the impression of Japan's stance to attach importance to Africa, and became a springboard to TICAD III to be held in October 2003.
(2) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi visited countries in which conflicts were recently solved, namely Ethiopia (a peace agreement with Eritrea on the border conflict was reached in December 2000) and Angola (a formal ceasefire agreement after the civil war was reached in April this year). In the policy speech delivered in Ethiopia, Ms. Kawaguchi announced Japan's cooperation toward consolidation of peace and reconstruction assistance in post-conflict Africa. In Angola, Ms. Kawaguchi announced the dispatch of a peace-building mission to the country and visited landmine removal sites. Through these activities, the Minister clearly conveyed the message that Japan intends to cooperate in the area of "conflicts" which is another pillar in the cooperation with Africa along with "development."
(3) Foreign Minister Kawaguchi, in her policy speech and bilateral meetings during her visit, appreciated the efforts made by African countries such as the formulation of NEPAD and inauguration of the AU and announced the promotion of synergy between NEPAD and the TICAD process. This increased interests of African nations in the TICAD process and created the momentum toward TICAD III.
(4) Japan's contribution through the ODA and expectations from the ODA were reaffirmed through the bilateral meetings which Ms. Kawaguchi had, ODA site visits and informal talks with those working in economic assistance.
(5) It was of great significance for the attendance of the Foreign Minister on the WSSD to confirm by herself the problems Africa is faced with through the visits to the African countries prior to the WSSD.
Back to Index