The Japanese delegation made a statement during the proceedings of the first plenary session of the 8th TICAD summit, in which it reaffirmed that “TICAD is a forum for discussion on the development of Africa.”
Therefore, “the presence of any entity, which Japan does not recognize as a sovereign state, at TICAD meetings, including the Senior Officials Meeting and the Summit Meeting, does not affect the position of Japan regarding the status of this entity.”
This statement confirms the position already expressed by Tokyo that the invitations to the Summit, which were to be issued exclusively and jointly by Tunisia and Japan, were sent only to states officially recognized by Tokyo and not subject to sanctions by the African Union.
The delegation of Japan was thus put in front of a fait accompli by the host country which unilaterally took the liberty to accredit the puppet entity. This seriously undermined the solemnity and serenity that should mark this important and expected meeting of the Japan-Africa partnership.
Japan had also officially marked on August 19, 2022 its categorical and unequivocal rejection of the invitation that had been issued the day before by the African Union Commission to the separatist entity to attend the summit, in violation of the procedure duly agreed, and made known that it was in no way opposable.
Tunisia, as the host country, did not give any consideration to Japan’s refusal.
Morocco had decided not to participate in the 8th TICAD Summit to be held in Tunisia on 27 and 28 August and to immediately recall in consultation the Ambassador of HM the King in Tunis “following the attitude of this country in the process of the Japan-Africa Cooperation Forum, which confirms in a flagrant manner its hostility towards the Kingdom.”
