Developments in EU-Africa relations towards a situation that is less influenced by the ties of the past (see this column EUROPE 9658) is not necessarily a bad thing. The desire of African countries for less European interference in their domestic affairs, and their sensitivity about criticism and advice is understandable, as is their intention to deepen ties with other countries and continents as they see fit. The EU, however, cannot abandon the “conditionality” of its support: political...