On Wednesday, 5 October, the European Parliament highlighted how strategic relations with the Horn of Africa are for the EU and made recommendations so that the EU’s partnership with this region (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda) will be adapted to the threats related to conflicts, jihadist terrorism, climate change, food insecurity, and the growing influence of third countries that are competing with the EU, such as China and Russia, whose interests diverge from those of the EU.
An own-initiative resolution by the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs (457 votes in favour, 59 against, and 122 abstentions) constitutes a recommendation in favour of adapting the EU’s enhanced integrated strategy for the Horn of Africa from May 2021 (see EUROPE 12975/7 and 12717/3).
In it, the European Parliament emphasises this partnership’s strategic importance at the economic and commercial level and calls for new impetus to be given to a mutually beneficial relationship based on fast and effective consultations as well as common values, interests, and prospects. It advises “[moving] from an obsolete donor-recipient mentality to a partnership on an equal footing between the EU and the Horn of Africa countries in order to create the conditions for sustainable and peaceful development in the region”.
The European Parliament also believes that it is necessary to combat the growing threat of radical militant Islamist terrorist groups that are operating transnationally from the Horn of Africa and to increase support for the fight against terrorism—a stance that pleased rapporteur Fabio Massimo Castaldo (Non-attached, Italian).
MEPs are particularly concerned about the renewed conflict in Ethiopia (see EUROPE 13023/25 and 13029/22), the threat that insecurity in Somalia poses to the whole region (see EUROPE 13035/18), the political stalemate in Sudan, and Chinese investment in Djibouti.
They recommend “condemn[ing] the total alignment of Eritrea with the Russian narrative and propaganda”.
The European Parliament also recommends insisting on the South Sudanese government’s obligation to make progress on the implementation of the peace agreement and to prepare for free elections.
In contrast, it highlights that Kenya, as a major player in the Horn of Africa, has the potential to strengthen regional stability.
On behalf of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen applauded the report. She assured MEPs,“The Horn of Africa will remain high on the EU’s agenda”, insisting—as did MEPs—on the importance of cooperating with the African Union and other regional organisations.
She added, “Cooperation with like-minded partners to counter the influence of actors who aim at destabilising the region is also crucial. [...] Africa, and especially the Horn of Africa, is a geopolitical hotspot. Everybody is there”.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/3g0 (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)