Ottawa’s International Development Minister  says she’s afraid that taking such punitive action will hurt innocent people.

Tanzanian President John Magafuli’s crackdown on homosexuals has caused the EU to withdraw its ambassador to Dar es Salaam and review its $88m aid package to the East African country.

Denmark’s withholding $10 million from Tanzania and Washington has issued a travel advisory warning  of homophobia there.

Canada’s aid minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says her country’s involved in health and education projects in Tanzania she believes are making a difference.

A quarter of Canada’s aid to Tanzania goes directly to government. Most of  of the $90m directed there this year is going to multilateral projects and non governmental bodies.

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It’s an opportunity for that Indian Ocean Island, that’s had more than its fair share of human and climatic turmoil,  to showcase progress made  since the return to stability

ends intro

The 16th Francophonie Summit will be chaired by Madagascar’s President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.

This grouping of countries, to which South Africa has observer status, has doubled in size since it first started meeting in 1986.

Canada’s International Development MinisterMarie-Claude Bibeau says the countries of La Francophonie are facing some significant challenges, such as the population boom in Africa, climate change that is threatening food security and access to water, and security issues related to armed conflicts and radicalization.

Her premier Justin Trudeau will be among leaders gathered for the summit at the weekend

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