Month: January 2024

The Government of Japan's US$2 million (over 79 million ouguiyas) funds in 2023 allowed the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Mauritania to provide food assistance to more than 65,000 vulnerable Malian refugees in the Mbera camp. Japan's contribution ensured food security for nearly 65,210 beneficiaries over five months (July-November 2023), through the distribution of in-kind food to vulnerable refugee populations who had fled the armed conflict in Mali to […]

In recent months, countries across West Africa have been battling the worst wave of diphtheria on record on the continent. The first cases were diagnosed in August 2022 in Niger, before the disease spread to Algeria, Mauritania, Nigeria and Guinea. The first patient in Guinea was diagnosed in July 2023 in Siguiri, a prefecture in the northeast of the country. Since then, cases of the life-threatening disease have continued to […]

This landmark financing is the largest syndicated loan ever raised by Nigeria in the International market and one of the largest syndicated debts raised in Africa in recent years; The Facility will enhance Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability and long-term economic growth, while enabling access to raw materials and trade development efforts; Raising such a significant amount at year end when many financiers are closing their books represented a vote of confidence on Nigeria […]

The increasing debt burden facing the country continues to bother Members of Parliament on the Budget Committee who have put the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to task on how to manage it. According to the State Minister for Finance, Hon. Henry Musasizi, the total debt stock as of June 2023 stood at US$23.7 billion, compared to December 2022 when it stood at US$21 billion. Musasizi made this […]

Across Africa, a humanitarian crisis unfolds. Spiraling conflicts, a changing climate, and restrictive government policies cast a long shadow on millions in need. A joint policy brief, a product of Amani Africa in collaboration the ICRC, illuminates this stark reality, showcasing how the very space for delivering vital aid shrinks with each passing day. The need for action is immense. Food insecurity and displacement figures climb at an alarming rate, […]

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a presidential election which began on 20 December 2023 (local time) and its Constitutional Court declared the final result on 9 January 2024 (local time). Japan congratulates Mr. Félix Antoine TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO, the incumbent candidate, on his re-election as President. Japan considers that the election was held with the strong will of the people of the DRC towards the consolidation of democracy […]

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, yesterday presented to the United Nations Security Council the latest report of the Secretary-General on the activities of UNOWAS. The report covers the period from 30 June 30 to 31 December 2023. Addressing the members of the Security Council, Mr. Simão evoked the persistence of socio-political tensions, the […]

Today marked a significant milestone as key independent state institutions, including the Ombudsman, the Constitutional Appointment Authority, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Electoral Commission, the Information Commission, the Media Commission, and the Human Rights Commission, convened for their inaugural meeting of the year. This gathering is a direct outcome of the government's decision to establish a coalition of integrity, as outlined in the Open Government Partnership Action Plan for the years […]