Tokyo, May 26, 2026 (SUNA) – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended a ceremony organized by the African ambassadors’ group in Tokyo to mark Africa Day, with the participation of a large number of Japanese officials, including ministers, parliamentarians, business leaders, and prominent figures from Japanese society. Sudan’s Ambassador Al-Rayah Haidoub, accompanied by his spouse, and mission counselor Ali Mohamed Ahmed, took part in the event. The ceremony was also attended by Ambassador Fathallah Sijilmassi, Director-General of the African Union Commission, who delivered a speech on behalf of African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, alongside a number of government officials, politicians, and heads of major Japanese companies. In her remarks, Prime Minister Takaichi underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between Japan and Africa, particularly amid current global challenges. She also stressed the need to advance Japan’s initiative aimed at promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which was launched by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from the African continent. On the sidelines of the celebration, Ambassador Al-Rayah Haidoub met with several Japanese officials to discuss the current situation in Sudan. He provided a detailed briefing on the positive developments taking place in the country, the gradual return of normal life, and the resumption of state institutions’ activities from Khartoum. He also discussed with some officials ways to expand cooperation in development and investment, in addition to meeting Director-General of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Fathallah Sijilmassi, who addressed the ceremony on behalf of the AU Commission Chairperson.  Ambassador Haidoub stressed the importance of supporting efforts to restore Sudan’s membership in the African Union, particularly in light of the recent positive political and security developments in the country, including the appointment of a civilian prime minister and his cabinet, as well as the government’s announced political transition plan.BH/BH