Japan announces $11.6m in aid for Ethiopia

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan will provide financial aid worth $11.6 million about (1.2 billion yen) to Ethiopia to help refugees in neighboring countries affected by civil war. Abe, on the last leg of his Middle East and Africa trip, also agreed with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn during their talks to bolster bilateral economic ties in a way that will encourage more Japanese companies to operate in the African country, according to Japan's (Kyodo) News Agency. Abe was quoted by Japanese officials as telling Hailemariam he supports the role of Ethiopia, chair of the African Union, as a mediator in South Sudan's peace process.