African perspectives on Africa-Europe relations Geneva Centre for Security Policy, European Training Course in Security Policy Dr. Damien Helly Policy Officer, ECDPM 19 March 2014

1. Dr. Damien Helly
19 March 2014
African perspectives on
Africa-Europe relations

2. Page 2
Structure of the presentation
• Background and African perspective(s)
• Africa as one: the roots and history of several
visions
• African diversity and its implications for relations
with Europe
• African continental integration and relations with
Europe
• African subregional organisations and relations with
Europe
• African common views on Africa-EU relations
• Contentious issues in relations with Europe
• Prospects for Africa-Europe relations

3. 1. How can I speak of the African
perspective(s)?
Page 3
• ECDPM is broker in the relations between Africa and Europe
• What follows was prepared together with our African Changing
Dynamics Programme
• It comes from statements made at our various events by African
speakers and stakheholders
.

4. 1. Background and African
perspective(s)
Page 4
• Africa’s relationship with Europe deeply rooted in colonial history –
postcolony (Achille Mbembe) – ties still very strong but very
diverse (Commonwealth, Franc CFA+military cooperation, CPLP)
• With African nations independence in 1960s – hope for an equal
partnership but instead “neo-colonial donor-recipient relationship”
• First Africa-EU Summit in Cairo promised genuine partnership
• Today both sides have not completely escaped the difficulties of
history
 The 4th Africa-EU Summit demands mutually
beneficial engagement beyond rhetoric
.

5. 1. History and background
Page 5
1. Africa is pushing relationship to “move beyond
aid” to achieve prosperity based on inclusive
growth and sustainable development and address
issues and challenges of mutual interest
2. Africa is aware of Europe’s declining position as its
exclusive (trade) partner with new global players attracted
by Africa’s economic growth and the continent’s offers
3. Africa is taking ownership of own development
and policy frameworks and becoming more
assertive on global scene

6. 2. Africa as one: the roots and history of several
visions
Page 6
1. Pan-Africanism and its diversity
2. The African Union (2002): stronger, more people-
centered & more effective successor to the OAU
for African Renaissance with a wider mandate
(political & socio-economic integration)
3. As a response to Africa’s economic
marginalization and need for national strategic
development, NEPAD was founded in 2001
4. NEPAD has since then matured into the
development program of the African Union. In
2010, fully integrated into structures and processes
of AU

7. 2. Africa as one: the roots and history of
several visions
Page 7

8. 2. Africa as one: the roots and history of
several visions - NEPAD
Page 8
1. NEPAD formulated a number of continental policy
frameworks that are implemented at national and
regional levels:
• Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan
(CAADP)
• Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa
(PIDA)
• Consolidated Plan of Action in Science and Technology,
the Environment Action Plan (EAP)
• Capacity Development Strategic Framework (CDSF)
• African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

9. 2. Africa as one: the roots and
history of several visions
Page 9
Agenda 2063 Vision and Priorities - Towards a paradigm shift
Vision: ”An Integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its
own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”
Priorities: Concert political determination and solidarity; finance
Africa’s development and take charge of own resources
 To take advantage of the current momentum towards 2063 Africa
wants to do things differently – mood of confidence in the future of the
continent

10. • African countries have various expectations, needs
and demands
• Inconsistencies in treating different African
countries by Europe and Member States depending
on their interests
• JAES perceived to have created a fragmented
approach and added to fragmented relationship
(Cotonou Partnership Agreement, European Neighbourhood Policy,
Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement with South Africa
etc.)
3. African diversity and its implications for
relations with Europe
Page 10

11. • Africa’s commitment to continental integration has been
promoted since the inception of the OAU in 1963
• The ideology of regional and economic integration has
been embraced since the 1960s
• 1991 Abuja Treaty formally created RECs
 These aspirations for continental and regional
integration and cooperation have been welcomed by the EU
and increased Africa-Europe engagement and cooperation

4. African continental integration and relations
with Europe
Page 11

12. • Africa's continental integration has strengthened
efficient collaboration between the two Unions and
is of mutual interest
• African integration requires effective ownership but
lessons can be learned from Europe (transform
economic growth into well-being, address regional
imbalances through specific regional policies)
• The development of Pan African institutions is
indispensable and Europe has experiences to share
4. African continental integration and
relations with Europe
Page 12

13. 5. African subregional organisations
Page 13

14. • Complexity and disparity of Africa-Europe and
African-RECs-Europe relations – RECs involvement
in the JAES
• Gaps between AU and RECs (don’t always speak
with one voice)
• EU-Africa partnership not in all areas able to deliver
all-inclusive strategy involving all the RECs (P&S)
• Competition between the AU and RECs to attract
resources from donors (challenge: absorption
capacity – cumbersome funding instruments)
5. African subregional organisations and
relations with Europe
Page 14

15. • Europe should take into account and respect
African efforts and strategies (APRM, AGA, Agenda
2063…)
• Europe should acknowledge and treat Africa as a
global actor – new dynamics in Africa have to be
addressed (assertiveness, ownership, DRM…)
• Europe should admit interests in Africa (economic,
political, security…)
• Europe should be more coherent when it comes to
different African countries (conditionalities,
contentious issues…)
6. African common views on Africa-EU relations
Page 15

16. • Inertia is the term associated with partnership
• Frustration with JAES (Joint declarations ahead of the
Summit focus on different issues)
• Europe as a whole still seen as former “colonial power”
but view changing
• If Europe wants to be a partner it should support
African request for the reform of the UN Security
Council
• Higher expectations on Business side event than on
Summit
6. African common views on Africa-EU relations
Page 16

17. AFRICAN COMMON POSITION ON THE FUTURE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
6. African common views on Africa-EU relations
Page 17

18. 7. Contentious issues in relations with Europe
Page 18
• EPAs ( ECOWAS-EU EPA in January 2014)
• ICC
• Migration
• Post 2015
• Security issues

19. 8. Prospects for Africa-Europe relations
Page 19
Relations with Europe still matter to Africa but:
• More political traction needed - European actors have
to learn from previous experiences in order to make a
difference in key areas
• Inconsistencies and contentious issues have to be
addressed coherently
• Adapt to the paradigm shift since creation of the JAES –
focus, prioritize, respect
• A partnership of equals needs acknowledgement that
both sides benefit from Africa-EU relations and have a
say in issues of common interest and joint agendas
(PAP)

20. Thank you!
www.ecdpm.org
www.slideshare.net/ecdpm
Page 20
Questions to:
Dr. Damien Helly, Policy Officer, ECDPM
dhe@ecdpm.org