Myriad developmental and security challenges have accompanied the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) relations, stymying regional initiatives and deepening frustration from both sides. Yet, the EU-AU summit, which is taking place on 29 and 30 November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, presents new opportunities to reinvigorate this partnership and overcome the innumerous challenges ahead. In the current climate, the subject of economic migration will be high on the agenda. But how much progress will these talks really make?
Ever since the remarkable first EU-AU Summit in Cairo in 2000, when the Africa-EU strategic partnership framework was entrenched[1], major changes have taken place on both institutions, challenging the way Africa and Europe perceive each other. While some improvements have been noticed in the past months, a deep-rooted frustration over some relevant areas, such as financing, security and migration remain strong. Due to colonial history, relations between the two continents have often been very emotional, which has understandably symbolized mistrust and resentment. Additionally, both Africa and the EU are struggling to overcome their internal political issues. While Europe is dealing with a storm of internal concerns, such as the migration crisis, Brexit, the rising of populist-far-right and terrorist attacks, Africa is suffering as a result of the spread of jihadist and other non-state armed groups, just to name a few[2].
At the core of these developments is the issue of how and to which extent the African Peace Facility[3], the main source of financial support from the EU to Africa, is still suitable and sustainable. In 2017, which is also the tenth anniversary of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES), the EU has expressed hope that the Abidjan summit would be a ‘defining moment’ that will ‘reshape and deepen relation’ between the two institutions[4].
EU-AU Summits
Europe and Africa are historically bound. The EU is Africa’s the main trading partner, foreign investor and largest provider of humanitarian and development aid[5]. A number of frameworks and agreements were developed in mutual collaboration, especially in areas such as rule of law, security and governance. Formal dialogues are also one way in which to take stock of the progress made in the implementation of these frameworks and provide guidance for future developments. To that end, EU-Africa Summits of Head of States and Governments take place every three years, alternatively, in both continents. The most recent summit was held in Brussels[6] (2-3 April 2014) and among the main topics discussed were education and training, gender equality and youth, legal and illegal migration flows and, most importantly, ways in which to enhance EU-Africa partnership.
This year’s summit central theme will be ‘investing in youth for a sustainable future’, one of the key priorities for Europe and Africa. In the African context, for instance, 65% of its population is under the age of 25 and due to this rapid demographic increase, major challenges emerge for the youth, especially in terms of security and employment, two issues which inevitably have effects in Europe. The number of young people is expected to double in the next decade and more than two thirds of this population is working in informal economy, where there is neither insurance nor safety[7]. The summit in Abidjan is expected to receive more than 5.000 participants, including 83 heads of states, representing the EU and AU member states as well as their respective Commissions. In addition to this, a plethora of international organization, NGOs and civil society representatives as well as private and investment banks will be present.
Migration: a common issue for a combined solution
Migration and security policy will dominate the summit’s main discussions, despite the focus on investment and youth employability. As the EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini stated in a speech one week before the event, mobility will be one of the central subjects EU-Africa leaders will discuss, acknowledging that almost 80% of African migrants and refugees move within Africa. She also promised ‘a positive agenda, to see how the EU-AU can both benefit from the movements between the two continents’[8]. Within the migration realm, one recurrent issue which will be elucidated during the summit pertains to border security and long-term solutions to legal migration. On the one hand, as many analysts argue, the EU wants to see more progress on border security, while on the other hand African leaders charge that Brussels must offer legal pathways and more holistic solutions to people seeking short-term stays in Europe.
Another relevant issue in the migration agenda will be the EU’s latest policy tool, the External Investment Plan (EIP)[9], a framework which intends to invest 4 billion euros to hold back and reduce ‘migratory pressures’, by drawing private investment in development projects. It remains to be seen how the EU will present the EIP to African leaders and how it will be received by them. While this plan represents a new opportunity for a strengthened partnership, it has also been criticized by a number of experts[10] and the BIC-RHR is concerned if the EIP could be yet another mechanism for the unilateral benefit of the European companies, which could further counterbalance and deteriorate relations.
As argued by the European Centre for Development Policy Management Deputy Director, Geert Laporte, ‘“instead of presenting itself in a somewhat patronizing way as the ‘moral conscience’ and ‘do-gooder’ in Africa, the EU would gain more trust and respect if it would clearly express its interests in Africa, acknowledging that it is not always straightforward to get the right balance between values and interests.” In this front, assertions for a mutual and equal partnership should be seriously taken into consideration. Finally, migration in Africa has also sparked rage in recent debates, as a CNN investigation documented human trafficking in Libya. The director of operation and emergencies for the International Organization for Migration, Mohammed Abdiker, stated in a recent interview that “some reports are truly horrifying and the latest reports of 'slave markets' for migrants can be added to a long list of outrages.".
This current and horrifying situation will surely put pressure on leaders from both continents for an urgent response. In addition to migration, peace and security are also expected to be a ‘hot-topic’ during the summit. In 2014’s summit in Brussels, a number of MoU on a more holistic peace and security cooperation were hoped to be achieved.
However, this timeline now seems to be unrealistic as not much has been accomplished. As a result, the memorandum will be up for discussion once again. The lack of security is often cited to be the root causes of migration and internal displacement within Africa and towards Europe. Ten years after the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, the relations between the two continents remain fragile and the EU-AU Summit in Abidjan comes at a particularly opportune moment for a re-boost. Now it is time for both institutions to reinvigorate their political will for a common cause, confronting key areas of interest and pursue a partnership based on mutuality and reciprocity.
Recommendations:
- The notion of an equal partnership, which is based on mutual interests should be reemphasized during the summit and taken to a more pragmatic level. Both institutions should engage on matters that are vital to long-term solutions, such as migration, security and development.
- The EU should change its approach from a patronage-style relationship to a more collaborative one, as a partner and facilitator to African issues, which should be African-owned.
- The AU should become more financially independent from the EU as a more balanced financial relationship adhered to both parties is necessary to take the partnership one step further.