Ottawa’s New Embassies and Security Projects Put Africa Strategy Back in Focus
The federal Liberals are reviving their Africa strategy, announcing new embassies and anti-terrorism projects on the continent.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly reveals that Ottawa is allocating $54.4 million for initiatives aimed at peacebuilding in Sudan, counterterrorism in West Africa, and combatting biological threats.
Joly also discloses plans to open a new embassy in Benin, a high commission in Zambia, appointing a special envoy for Africa, and another for the Sahel region.
Canada is also working on establishing direct flights to Nigeria and Ghana, along with better projects to transition developing countries from foreign aid to business creation.
The Liberals have been developing what they initially called an Africa strategy for almost three years, later downgrading it to a framework and then an “approach.” However, Joly now confirms that there will be a full strategy for the continent.
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“We’re working on a new Africa strategy, which we’re all involved in,” she said at a Toronto press conference, flanked by Trade Minister Mary Ng and International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen.
“We want to have stronger cooper operation with the African Union itself and also stronger bilateral relationships with many African countries,” Joly said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to meet this afternoon with the African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.
