4 Central Africa

(1) Cameroon

In Cameroon, various security problems are occurring in the English-speaking regions in the Northwest and Southwest regions. Under the direction of President Paul Biya, the country is tackling the challenge of stabilizing these regions based on the national dialogue in 2019 on the situations in the Northwest and Southwest regions. On December 6, the regional election was held for the first time to promote decentralization, including in the English-speaking regions.

In 2020, Japan and Cameroon celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Japan has friendly relations with Cameroon, and cooperation is progressing in various fields, such as sports exchanges and development cooperation.

(2) Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 11th outbreak of the Ebola virus disease declared in June in Equatorial Province ended in November. President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo is working to stabilize the eastern region, where the activities of armed groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, Ugandan rebels) have created major security challenges, and is also advancing various domestic reforms including anti-corruption measures.

Japan maintains excellent bilateral relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in 2020, the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Japan has long supported the DRC's National Institute of Professional Preparation and has contributed to the country's economic development through the development of industrial human resources. In addition, the National Institute of Biomedical Research (Institut National pour la Recherche Biomédicale INRB), which Japan has been supporting for the expansion of testing facilities and the development of infectious disease specialists, plays a central role in the country's measures against Ebola and COVID-19.

(3) Central African Republic

In Central African Republic, under leadership of President Faustin Archange Touadéra, efforts are underway for peace and stability based on a peace agreement with armed groups. Although opposition parties and some armed groups demanded that the presidential election be postponed and the security situation deteriorated temporarily, the first round of voting in the presidential election was held on December 27, and President Touadéra was re-elected.

Japan has friendly relations with Central African Republic, and in 2020, the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has contributed to institution building in Central African Republic by providing 248 million Japanese yen in support for the presidential election mentioned above.

(4) Gabon

Gabon is a politically stable country with no experience of civil war or conflict, while it is located in the politically unstable Central Africa region. President Ali Bongo is engaged in diversification of the country's economy, with the aim of transitioning from an oil-dependent economy, including strengthening the timber processing field. With the cabinet reshuffle in July, the Osouka Raponda Cabinet was inaugurated, resulting in the country's first female prime minister.

Japan has friendly relations with Gabon, and in 2020, the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Japan is cooperating mainly in the fields of infectious disease control and environmental conservation.