Half investment plan Designed by the European Union to neutralize its economic power Chinese and place Europe Called as a “trusted partner” around the world global gateway Launched a year and a half ago Africa as the target. Within 300,000 million public-private investments Aiming to mobilize the EU in this strategy,150,000 million will be accelerated. ecological and digital transition of the continent, to promote sustainable growth and job creationstrengthen health systems and improve education and training through projects that improve connectivity around the world. Transportdigitalisation, economic integration, food security, combating climate change, education or access to vaccines.
“Africa and Europe are united by geography and a common destiny. association EU-At the end of November, the African president recalled that, as reaffirmed at our February Summit, it is extremely important in shaping our common future and is a sign of our confidence in the potential of our relations, especially in these difficult times. During the visit of the President of the African Union Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the European Commission, Musa Fakito Brussels to assess progress since then EU-African Union summit It was held in February last year, two years late due to the covid19 pandemic.
Since then, both blocs have committed to launching a €750m program. infrastructure development –including strategic corridors– transport, digital and energy, particularly renewable energy. They also initiated projects to guarantee access and production. vaccinesMedicines and other health needs in Africa – EU target is to invest more than 1,000 million – new aid to combat malnutrition (570 million more in 2022), increased food support to 4,500 million by 2024 and created (among other initiatives) a high-level dialogue group to promote economic integration with a continent that has been the object of desire for years Russia And Chinesetrying to gain ground on the EU military aid And disinformation the first is a strengthened strategy since the invasion of Ukraine a year ago, and the second is money.
in the awakening of china
“There is no doubt that it is a means of trying to compete with China on the continent, and although it is a significant investment – at least so far – it cannot be compared to the initiative. New Silk Road It has been going on for 10 years, China covers more than 40 percent of African states and affects 1 billion African citizens,” he said. Nina WilenAfrica Program Director egmont institute He is from Belgium and is an associate professor of European investment strategy at Lund University. Although Beijing is leading in the field of investment, the expert reminds us that we should not lose sight of the fact that Europe’s policy towards Africa is global.
“EU, Africa’s largest trading partner, with many different economic associations. It is also the first supplier. foreign direct investment (FDI) Official Development Assistance (ODA) and humanitarian aid to Africa, so the EU as a whole undoubtedly remains a very important partner for Africa.”The African Union’s largest peacekeeping operation In Somalia (AMISOM), which it has financed for over a decade through the Peace Fund for Africa”. The African continent is also devoted to the EU’s training of police and strengthening of military or institutions.
Comprehensive approach to the continent
Wilén admits that the problem is also his biggest challenge: holistic approachwill continue to gain ground and influence as global power competition increases, with involvement in different fields but diminishing visibility on a continent “due to its diplomatic, demographic weight and natural resources”. “Africa’s importance will only increase. EU must stay in close relationship with Africa For all these reasons, but also securityHe adds, “about one of the areas of increasing concern among governments and European institutions on the other side of the Atlantic, particularly due to Russian influence in the military and the presence of a group. Russian private mercenaries Wagner in the Sahel region, where the humanitarian crisis and anti-European sentiments are growing.
“Obviously, ukraine war Russia’s desire to act opportunistically, including in Africa, has not diminished. In fact, the collapse of the regime Vladimir Putin “Close relations with the West are nurturing Moscow’s recent rapprochement with various parts of the continent,” he said. Paul Stronskithink tank Russia expert Carnegie EuropeThis explains why the oppressive regimes of the Sahel countries are taking advantage of the French legacy that has reduced its military presence in the region and the growing resentment to associate Europe with Moscow. “Russia has shown that it knows how to exploit mismanagement, instability and security vulnerabilities in Africa,” he says.
France wants to cease being the gendarme of the continent
President of France, Emmanuel Macrongave a speech on his strategy for the African continent on February 27. Although the centrist leader assured him that there was no “one African reality”, his cabinet said that this ostentatious act was “in France”.AfricaHis intervention came just days before the start of his diplomatic tour last Wednesday, which covered four Central African countries: Gabon, Angola, Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Its main announcement is that Paris withdrawal of troops, but without closing military bases. France suffered serious setbacks with the forced march of its troops stationed in the area. Financial And Burkina Faso. Given the wear and tear caused by Operation Barkhane, which fueled anti-French sentiment in the volatile region of France, beachMany voices called for the withdrawal of all French troops from their former colonies. Others, on the other hand, demanded a greater military implication while confirming that a rival power such as Russia was verified through mercenaries. Wagner, replaced the French military support in Mali and could do the same in Burkina Faso. In the end, Macron chose the middle option.
The government will not close its bases, but will “reduce” the number of deployed soldiers. France currently has about 5,500 soldiers on African soil, of which 3,000 are based in Sahel countries such as Niger and Chad. The centrist leader assured that they plan to “develop bases with a regional profession” and focus on the “training” and “equipment” of African soldiers. “The underlying idea is that France’s gendarme Africa,” says journalist Antoine Glaser, author of the book. Macron’s African belt (Macron’s African trap), in an interview with the progressive daily newspaper liberation.
Macron’s speech last Monday was very similar to another speech in Ouagadougou in November 2017, in which he promised to turn the page on neo-colonial politics to “France-Africa” - a similar promise had already been made by his predecessors François Hollande or Nicolas Sarkozy. . . Centrist leader, this military presence economic and cultural bridges. It’s a reasonable bet on a theoretical level, though weakened by the loss of French influence. This has been weighed not only by the growing presence of rival powers such as Russia or China, but also by allied theorists such as Turkey or Israel, who increasingly act as free electrons in geopolitics. Even Germany has surpassed France as the main exporter to African countries. ENRIC BONET