ISS Seminar Report, Pretoria: Challenges of the EU's Africa policy

Date: 2012-02-23

Venue: ISS Conference Room , , Block C, Brooklyn Court , , 361 Veale Street , , New Muckleneuk

RSVP: Sarah
Malefo

Tel: 012 346 9500

Fax: 012 460 0997

CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Jakkie Cilliers, Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies

KEY SPEAKER: Amb. Koen Vervaeke is the EU Director for the Horn of Africa, Eastern & Southern Africa, Indian Ocean and Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes region. Before taking this new position at the European External Action Service, he was the EU Special Representative and Head of the Commission delegation to the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Despite the strong engagement of emerging economies in Africa, the European Union remains the strongest trading partner for African countries and the biggest contributor to the institutional set-up of the African Union. With the adoption of the Lisbon treaty, the EU attempted to, among others, streamline its common foreign policy and positions towards key external partners. The result is a sophisticated set-up of institutions that drive the EU policies in a changing international context. 

New institutions such as the European External Action Service (EEAS) have therefore had great impact upon European relations with Africa. The EEAS is indicative of a marked change from the past in the formulation and conduct of Europe’s external relations. Whilst EU members continue to enjoy and conduct bilateral relations throughout Africa, this institution aims to support EU policymaking and projects EU policy to the outside world.  Essentially it was argued that it enables a greater coherence to exist between the different policies and decisions of EU institutions as well as those of its member states.

In helping to define the EU’s strategic direction for relations with rest of the world, the EEAS also forms an important part of the foreign policy evolution of Europe. European states are increasingly driven to work together and express common views on matters such as piracy, trade and human rights. In effect a single message from different actors is delivered.

The EEAS also operates in an evolving global context marked by emerging economies, the financial crisis in Western states and the Arab Spring. One of the major emerging challenges has been building strategic partnerships. The EU thus finds it essential to work with member states of the African Union (AU) such as South Africa in resolving crises in countries such as Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

Socio-economic successes as well as the institutionalisation of meaningful democracy and the rejection of unconstitutional changes of government were discussed as some of the major achievements in recent years including transitions in Niger, Mauritania and Guinea. However, unequal growth as well as resource export dependency, the absence of economic diversification, the lack of infrastructure were all highlighted as major concerns. Moreover the move towards regionalism and intra-African trade remains slow and persistent threats to the rule of law and human rights remains notable. Arguably the real challenge remains improving the perception of the AU amongst its member states, and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). In addition the gap between AU decisions and national implementation remains large.

One of the major effects of the global financial crisis has been the profound change in US and EU perceptions of Africa and how Africa perceives itself. Africa is seen to possess a great potential for developing markets. This marks a fundamental change in external narratives of Africa, yet conflict and instability remain the dominant tropes. Accordingly it was argued that the EEAS should seek to redefine its strategic relationship in line with achieving a change in these areas.

Three areas were subsequently focused upon. Firstly building peace and security remains one of the most active areas of EU-Africa engagement, notably in Somalia where EU financial support of The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has arguably proved crucial in its recent successes against Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.  It was noted that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) still requires a great deal of capacity support but for the first time there is a clearer sense of what can be accomplished including a future beyond the TFG.

The achievement of peace is seen as more than simply conflict cessation; rather it combines robust institution building with the attainment of freedoms and rights, in addition with a vibrant civil society and adherence to the rule of law essential for long-term prospects. Build on commitment to shared values such as Human rights, essential to achieving a peaceful community of nations

Secondly in regards toprosperity and governance it was noted that despite Africa’s abundance of people and resources, poverty remains widespread. While the EU provides a major source of development assistance it was noted that EU assistance often taken for granted. Therefore in the long-term the EU has aimed to provide support beyond simple aid, operating instead on the assumption that the solution to poverty is to stimulate an economy in which aid is only one of many financial flows alongside trade, remittances, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and income tax.

It was noted that whilst the EU is being surpassed by China in terms of the quantity of trade with Africa, EU-Africa networks and links remain prominent. The EU also focuses on the creation of a prosperity-friendly environment. An example discussed concerned the proposal for natural resources legislation, where obliging companies contribute to trading transparency and accountability.

Finally, the notion of partnership was emphasised. It remains evident that partnerships are the best approach to achieving foreign policy interests and aims. It was noted that EU member states, which had previously had minimal relations or interaction with African states, are now making their presence apparent and influential.

Controversies over interventions in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya in 2011 were discussed, and it was argued that the EU would make political decisions only after consultation with African partners has occurred. This demonstrated that the EU is aware that strategies will only be successful when build upon comprehensiveness, coherence, and all-round shared responsibility.

Seminar Report compiled by Timothy Walker, Conflict Management and Peacebuilding Division, ISS Pretoria Office.