In its programme for the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Ireland is announcing its intention to strengthen the Union’s engagement in Sudan by developing “joint positions” on the conflict. This pits the regular army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo. According to many observers, the latter notably benefit from the support of the United Arab Emirates (see EUROPE 13761/18). Dublin intends to focus on “mediation efforts and humanitarian access”.
Another priority on the African continent is the Sahel, where instability fuelled by jihadist groups is causing concern, particularly in West Africa (see EUROPE 13715/19).
“The Sahel will remain a priority for the EU, with the focus on taking forward the EU’s Renewed Approach to the region”, Dublin announced, eight months after the Foreign Affairs Council was supposed to have outlined the contours of a long-term EU vision for the Sahel (see EUROPE 13756/6).
Lastly, following on from the Luanda summit (see EUROPE 13759/25), the Irish Presidency has made the ‘EU-African Union’ strategic partnership, in the broad sense, one of its working priorities.
See the programme for the Presidency of the Council of the EU: https://aeur.eu/f/mo7 (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)