In her State of the Union address on Wednesday 13 September, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the preparation of a ‘new strategic approach’ to the partnership with Africa, taking account of the new geopolitical situation and the coups d'état in the Sahel. This new approach will be at the heart of “the next EU/Africa summit”.
“We need to focus on cooperation with legitimate governments and regional organisations. And we need to develop a mutually beneficial partnership which focuses on common issues for Europe and Africa”, she declared.
She also spoke of the influence of Russia, which is “benefiting” from the successive coups d'état, and of the security issues at stake, referring to the direct repercussions in Europe, “for our security and prosperity”, of instability in “a region that has become fertile ground for the rise in terrorism”.
According to Ms von der Leyen, all these factors are behind the ‘new approach’ being developed by the European Commission and EU High Representative Josep Borrell.
The President of the Commission opened the part of her speech dedicated to Africa with a message of support for Morocco and Libya, which have suffered respectively from an earthquake on an unprecedented scale and destructive floods caused by storm Daniel. “Europe will always stand ready to support in any way we can”, she said.
In response to a request for assistance from Libya, the EU is mobilising €500,000 in initial humanitarian aid and will provide emergency equipment through its civil protection mechanism, the Commission announced on the same day (see other news).
See the State of the Union address: https://aeur.eu/f/8jk
See the Commission’s letter of intent: https://aeur.eu/f/8iu (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)