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*** TCSF English Newsletter No.6 ***　　　　　　　　　　　　　 [2006. November]

Viva! Africa: People's Network across Continents
Published by TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　http://ticad-csf.net/eng/e-index.htm
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Dear colleagues,
Our English newsletter contains information about TCSF’s Activities and J
apanese aid support toward Africa. We hope to strengthen our network with
you by sharing information about our activities.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Thank you.
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　1, Activities of Working Groups
-TCSF White Paper Working Group
-Partnership Seminar Working Group
-Alert Working Group
　2,Feature Stories
　　　-Japan's New Policies toward Africa and ODA
　　　- Integration of ODA Operation
　　　- from Research Center
　3,Topics of Japan-Africa Relation and Japan’s Aid support

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【1】Activities of Working Groups
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"TCSF White Paper Working Group"
We have been preparing for the second issue of the TCSF White Paper,
which will be issued by the end of this year.
We received drafts of the evaluation report from the African NGOs for
the TCSF White Paper. We are, currently, reviewing and editing them and
translating them into Japanese.
On October 3rd, a TCSF Partnership Seminar was held in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia with the Ethiopian NGOs, where the findings from the survey on
Japan's ODA were presented.
On October 4th, we invited members from the two Japanese NGOs to
discuss CSOs'role in African development. We had very active discussions
with the participants from NGOs and JICA.

"Partnership Seminar Working Group"
TCSF Civil Society Partnership Seminar in collaboration with CRDA was
successfully completed in Ethiopia, on 3 October, 2006. Local NGOs,
Embassy of Japan and JICA Ethiopia took part in this seminar. Active
discussions were made on TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African
Development), Japan's ODA for Ethiopia, and Japan's Grant Assistance for
Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) and JICA Projects in Ethiopia.

"Alert Working Group"
The Alert Working Group published the 6th volume of the quarterly
magazine, "Africa Alert News" in Japanese in the end of October.
We also introduce the digest version of "Africa Alert News volume 5" in
English through our English Blog site.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/ticad_csf_english/

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【2】Feature Stories
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"The African policy of the Abe Administration"

It is probably too early to talk about the African policy of newly
appointed Prime Minister Abe, since he has not given any statement in
relation to Africa at any opportunity, including his Policy Speech of
September 29th. But we can find some elements to predict it through
what he has said so far.
Mr. Abe seems to consider ODA, one of the most important factors of
African-related policies, an instrument for ensuring security, not as
a means for development and humanitarian support. In his Policy
Speech, he mentioned ODA twice. First, he stated that the Overseas
Economic Cooperation Council, headed by the Prime Minister himself,
will play the central role in ODA strategic use. Secondly, he referred
to the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq: "Japan will
continue to assist the reconstruction of Iraq through air-lift support
by the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) and ODA in coordination with
non-governmental organizations (NGOs)."
His words may reasonably be taken to imply some military connotation.
By looking at the context of the speech more carefully, Mr. Abe's
vision of ODA can be clearly figured out. Both references to ODA are
given in the context of security diplomacy, such as the exercise of
the right of collective self-defense, the provision of energy
resources and the ascent to permanent membership in the UN Security
Council. The Prime Minister emphasizes the "strategic" aspects of
ODA, but I am afraid he uses the word "strategic" in a military
perspective.
On the other hand, there are some facts that may suggest his special
interest in Africa: his father, Mr. Shintaro Abe, was the first
Japanese foreign minister ever to visit African countries (1984). Mr.
Yoshiro Mori, the leader of the political faction to which the new
Prime Minister belongs, conducted the first African visit as an
incumbent Japanese Prime Minister. Mr. Mori himself currently heads
the Federation of Diet Members for Friendship between Africa and Japan.
The year 2008 will be an important year for the new Prime Minister,
who is going to host the G8 Summit that year. For the time being, I
expect him to remind that public opinion wants more support for poor
regions such as Africa and advocate humanitarian, not strategic, use
of ODA for them.
-----------------------Minoru OBAYASHI

(This article represents author’s personal viewpoint and TCSF does not
necessarily share or support it)

"Integration of ODA Operation"
At cabinet council on 13 October, an amendment of statue of JICA,
including integration of ODA operations under JICA was approved.
JICA has been carring out technical cooperation up to now. It will take
over the yen loan of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and
the grant aid of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). ODA affairs by MOFA
will be limited to planning only, and JBIC will be abolished in 2008.

"From TCSF Research Center"
On 8 September, the fifth study session titled "Japan, Asia, Africa:
Evaluation and Perspective of Rural Social Development" was held. Dr.
Kunio Takase, the adviser of International Development Center and the
director of TCSF, was the lecture. The discussion on rural society
development was actively done by about twenty participants.

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【3】Topics of Japan-Africa Relation and Japan’s Aid support
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Oct. 10
　Mr. Keitaro Sato, Ambassador in charge of Peace Building in Africa, to Vi
sit the Sudan, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom
　http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/10/1010.html
Oct. 25
　Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United
Republic of Tanzania
　 http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/10/1025.html
Oct. 27
Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of
the Republic of Equatorial Guinea
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/10/1027.html
Visit of Mr. Rodolphe Adada, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International
Cooperation, and Relations with Francophone Countries of the Republic of
Congo, to Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/10/1026.html
Nov. １
Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of
Rwanda
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/11/1101.html
Nov. 2
Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the
Republic of Ghana
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/11/1102-3.html
Dr. Lam Akol, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Sudan,
to Visit Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2006/11/1101-3.html

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office@ticad-csf.net
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