Japan pledged $30 billion in development aid to Africa on Saturday, saying it wants to work more closely with the continent as the rules-based international order is under threat following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at the Japan-Africa summit in Tunis, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo would make efforts to ensure grain supplies to Africa amid global shortages.

“If we abandon a rule-based society and allow force to change the status quo unilaterally, the impact will spread not only to all of Africa, but to the entire world,” Kishida said during a video conference after testing positive for COVID-19. 19.

Kishida said $30 billion would be provided over three years, pledging smaller amounts for food security in coordination with the African Development Bank.

Tunisia’s leaders say they want democracy

Tunisia’s state news agency quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as saying that Japan was providing Tunisia with $100 million to help ease the effects of the pandemic.

The summit gave Tunisian President Kais Saied his biggest international platform since his election in 2019 and came after he won expanded powers formally enshrined in a constitutional referendum, a move his critics call a coup.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart on Friday, Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Djerandi repeatedly stressed Tunisia’s commitment to democracy, which has been questioned by Said’s critics.

Diplomatic conflict between Tunisia and Morocco

The summit sparked a row between Tunisia and Morocco, which were angered by Said’s decision to invite the POLISARIO movement, which seeks the independence of Western Sahara, a territory Rabat claims as its own.

Morocco and Tunisia recalled their ambassadors for consultations.

Rabat said the decision to invite POLISARIO leader Brahim Gali was made against Japan’s will. Tokyo has yet to comment.

Tunisia, in turn, needs financial support as it faces an imminent public finance crisis exacerbated by the global commodity crisis.

Long lines formed at gas stations this week due to fuel shortages as stores began rationing some items.