Visit by Mr. Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa, to the Republic of Guinea
(Summary and Evaluation)
January 2005
1. Summary
From December 11 to 14, 2004, Mr. Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa, visited the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. During his stay in the Republic of Guinea, he made visits to the Lainé Refugee Camp near the border with the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Liberia and other places. He also had exchanges of views and opinions on a wide variety of issues with Guinean government officials and officials of international organizations. The details are as follows.
2. Meetings
(1) Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo
Ambassador Sato offered congratulatory words to Prime Minister Diallo on his inauguration into office (the former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, he was appointed Prime Minister on December 9, 2004) and exchanged opinions on the bilateral relations between Japan and Guinea. During their exchange of opinions, Prime Minister Diallo noted Japan's cooperation to Guinea, stating his intention to maintain and further develop the good relations between Japan and Guinea.
(2) Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation Kiridi Bangoura
The discussion was focused mainly on the refugee issue. Ambassador Sato shared his impression of his visit to the Lainé Refugee Camp and explained Japan's assistance to these refugees. He continued to comment that Japan places emphasis on the consolidation of peace, poverty reduction through economic growth and human-centered development as pillars of its diplomatic efforts with Africa. Ambassador Sato further stated that Japan highly evaluates Guinea's efforts in accepting refugees from neighboring countries, an effort that contributes to stability in the region, requesting that Guinea continue with its measures for peace in Africa. Minister Bangoura stated that Japan's cooperation is highly efficient, gaining respect from the people of Guinea, who feel close affinity to Japan. On top of assistance to refugees, Minister Bangoura also noted the importance of assistance to people living in the regions to which refugees escape, as well as reconstruction of the region attacked by rebel groups from neighboring countries. As such, he requested Japan's cooperation in reconstruction efforts for these areas as well.
(3) Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamady Condé
The two officials exchanged opinions mainly on the bilateral relations between Japan and Guinea and on the refugee issue. Minister Condé, too, made a request for Japan's cooperation in the reconstruction efforts in regions accepting refugees and those refugees affected by conflicts. He also requested cooperation in the areas of consolidation and enhancement of peace. Ambassador Sato responded that Japan places emphasis on the consolidation of peace, poverty reduction through economic growth and human-centered development as pillars of its diplomatic efforts with Africa. He also explained Japan's measures in humanitarian assistance and for the consolidation of peace.
(4) Minister of Cooperation Elhadj Thierno Habib Diallo
The two officials exchanged opinions on the bilateral relations between Japan and Guinea. Minister Diallo explained how the government was unable to allocate budgetary funds to necessary areas for the development of Guinea, such as water, electricity and communications, as a result of a considerable portion of the national budget being appropriated for the acceptance of refugees, and also due to the impact directly imposed on regions accepting refugees from such activities as deforestation and land cultivation to meet the refugees' basic needs, including fuels and food. He requested Japan's cooperation in these areas.
(5) Others
Ambassador Sato had an opportunity to exchange opinions with officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as the ambassadors of France, United Kingdom, Canada and China stationed in Guinea. Ambassador Sato received explanation on the efforts for the return of refugees in Guinea to their home countries and exchanged opinions on assistance to these refugees.
3. Site visits
(1) Foulaya Agricultural Research Center
Ambassador Sato visited the Foulaya Agricultural Research Center located approximately 120 km northeast of Conakry, the capital, as securing a food supply for the refugees is vital. At the Center, Ambassador Sato received explanation on Guinea's agricultural policy and its challenges, as well as its research activities. He also observed the site where New Rice for Africa (NERICA) is being grown.
(2) Lainé Refugee Camp
The Lainé Refugee Camp near the border with the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Liberia, located approximately 1,000 km to the southeast of Conakry, accommodates around 24,000 Liberian refugees. Ambassador Sato received explanation on this refugee camp and observed the refugees' housing, primary school, and technical and vocational school.
4. Evaluation
(1) Ambassador Sato's visit left a strong impression on Guinean government officials and other parties concerned regarding Japan's position that places emphasis on the consolidation of peace, poverty reduction through economic growth and human-centered development, which in particular actively provides cooperation in the area of consolidation of peace. Through this visit, Ambassador Sato also called on the Guinean government to continue with its measures for the consolidation of peace.
(2) Ambassador Sato's visit to the Liberian Refugee Camp in Guinea and exchanges of opinions with UN officials, in consideration of Japan's future assistance for refugees and reconstruction assistance in the West African region, has deepened understanding toward Japan's policy and measures in these areas.
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