3 The Situation in North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria)
(1) Egypt
Egypt is a major power in the region, playing a significant role in the stability of the Middle East and North Africa, and President El-Sisi maintains stable administration. On the economic front, whereas COVID-19 had a negative impact (tourism decrease, fewer remittances from overseas workers, etc.), the impact on the economy was limited compared with neighboring countries, and maintained positive GDP growth, due in part to the fact that the economy was originally robust after recent macroeconomic reforms.
Steady progress has been seen in Japan-Egypt relations since President El-Sisi’s visit to Japan in February 2016. Cooperation covers various areas such as strengthening support for the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), and the construction program of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). In addition, at the Japan-Egypt Foreign Ministers’ telephone call in December, Foreign Minister Motegi stated that preparations were underway for a development policy loan to support the energy sector as a contribution to the revitalization of socio-economic activities affected by the spread of COVID-19. The Notes concerning this project were signed and exchanged in February 2021.
Regarding the two SDF personnel of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) stationed in the Sinai Peninsula who have been dispatched since April 2019, a second rotation of personnel was conducted in July to continue to contribute to regional peace and stability.
(2) Libya
In Libya, following the collapse of the Qadhafi administration in 2011, the parliament and the government have split apart in the east and west of the country, and the situation remains unstable. In April 2019, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, powerful commander of the “Libyan National Army” (LNA) in the east, ordered an advance on Tripoli, which developed into an armed conflict including air strikes against forces under the Government of National Accord (GNA). Since May 2020, the GNA, with the support of Turkey, has launched counterattacks, and the LNA has withdrawn from the suburbs of Tripoli, resulting in a standoff along a line connecting the central coastal city of Sirte and the inland city of Jufra. However, there were some positive developments, such as the signing of the permanent ceasefire agreement between the GNA and the LNA in October, and no major fighting has occurred since then.
On the political front, a UN-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum was held in Tunis in November with 75 Libyan representatives, and a basic agreement was reached to hold a series of elections on Libya’s Independence Day on December 24, 2021. Following the agreement, in February 2021, a unified interim executive authority responsible for conducting a series of elections was elected at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum and is scheduled to be approved by the House of Representatives by mid-March. Japan has supported such UN-led political dialogue.
(3) Maghreb Countries
The Maghreb is of great economic importance in the African continent, due to its geographical advantage of being the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and its high potential based on a cheap abundant young labor force. In addition, each country has overcome the “Arab Spring” and maintained political stability in its own way. On the other hand, due to the impact of COVID-19, the decline in energy revenue that supports state finances is becoming more serious in Algeria, and regional disparities and high unemployment rates are challenges to overcome in Morocco and Tunisia. In addition, there are concerns about the security implications of the flow of weapons and illegal immigrants from Libya and the Sahel region.
In the Republic of Tunisia, following the results of the election for the Assembly of the Representatives of the People in October 2019, the new Elyes Fakhfakh Cabinet was established in February 2020, but later resigned in July as disagreements between political parties could not be resolved. The Hichem Mechichi Cabinet was later established in September, and attention is focused on whether economic and social policies will be implemented in a stable manner. Regarding relations with Japan, Foreign Minister Motegi visited the Republic of Tunisia in December, and in meetings with President Saide, Prime Minister Mechichi, and Secretary of State Ali Nafti, both sides confirmed the close cooperation for the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) to be held in Tunisia in 2022 and reaffirmed the two countries would work to further develop bilateral relations, including the economic relationship and the peace and stability in the region.
Foreign Minister Motegi pays a courtesy call to Tunisian
President Saide (December 9, Tunis)
Foreign Minister Motegi pays a courtesy call to Tunisian Head of Government Mechichi (December 9, Tunis)
In Algeria, the protests against the long-standing administration of President Bouteflika since February 2019 turned into prolonged demonstrations that resulted in the administration resigning in April. The presidential election was held in December 2019, and former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected. President Tebboune proceeded with a constitutional amendment to realize a “new Algeria,” and held a referendum on the amendment on November 1, 2020, the day Algeria’s war of independence began. The constitutional amendment was adopted, although the voter turnout was extremely low at 23.7% due to the impact of COVID-19 and low public interest, among others.
In relations with Morocco, Japan has developed friendly relations for many years based on the relationship between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Morocco. Under these circumstances, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Suzuki visited Morocco in January 2020 to attend the Japan-Morocco Joint Committee to discuss the concrete implementation of various types of cooperation including in the economic field. Both countries also signed the Tax Convention between Japan and Morocco and the Investment Agreement. In February, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakatani Shinichi visited Morocco as the head of the Public and Private Sector Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment in Africa. These official visits steadily developed friendly bilateral relations. Through such official visits and cooperation, it is hoped the economic relationship between the two countries will be strengthened through the greater entry of Japanese companies into Morocco.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Nakatani visits Morocco as part of the Public and Private Sector Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment in Africa
(February, Morocco)
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Publish date : 2021-12-18 20:58:54
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