As a part of their General Assembly, CONCORD held a debate on: ‘The future of relations between the European Union and Africa’. It took place in Brussels on 7 June and was attended by CONCORD members as well as representatives of European and African institutions and civil society. The debate was introduced through a panel of experts, followed by discussions in smaller working groups. Around 90 people attended the discussions.
Nuno Bello, the representative from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated that the joint Strategy should be endorsed at the EU-Africa Heads of State Summit planned for December. It will be a long-term strategy, and will be complemented by a more concrete action plan with a shorter time-span, possibly between summits. The action plan will focus on the four thematic areas on which the EU-Africa institutional dialogue is structured, namely: governance and human rights; key development issues; trade and regional integration; and peace and security. Bello emphasised, however, that the Lisbon Summit is just an event within the process, and that the new relationship will continue to develop after the summit.
On the process Nuno Bello assured that the institutional dialogue has been good and balanced, with initiatives taken by both sides. Consensus has been reached on many aspects, but several issues need further discussion, including how to relate to the EPA negotiations and the returning of cultural goods. He also mentioned that the concept of ‘fragile states’ has proven difficult since it is understood differently by African and European officials, and that a common definition of it needs to be agreed upon. The institutional experts will meet again in Addis Ababa next week, where the calendar of continued negotiations will be set. He predicted that another six expert meetings will be held until October.
The process has been enriched by the participation of civil society through the public consultation, and Nuno Bello encouraged continued input up until the summit and after, and concluded by stating that: “there’s life after Lisbon.” This was reiterated by HE Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the African Union Permanent Representation to the EU & ACP Countries, who assured that civil society contributions would help the officials do a better job in developing the strategy.
Mamadou Cissoko, Honorary President of ROPPA (Réseau des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs Agricoles d’Afrique de l’Ouest) spoke about complicated EU-Africa relations, where the priorities for Africa are mostly set by Europe. He emphasised, however, that Europe should stop planning for Africa, and that it is time for Africa to set up its own plans. In this process, an important step is for Africa to first define and subsequently defend its interests. In the meantime, developed countries have a responsibility to live up to their own (e.g. governance) standards globally. African problems can not be solved by copying European or American standards: “you have your own problems, why should we inherit those?”. Furthermore, problems could not be solved with the current rules such as: the global governance and the functioning of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); the globalisation of communication, and the issue of the debts cancellation.
Several questions and reflections on the joint strategy were presented by Joanna Maycock from ActionAid International, a member of the CONCORD EU-Africa reference group. She welcomed the idea of a partnership, but said that a real partnership cannot be built without a thorough reflection on the power relations affecting any cooperation between the two continents. The terms of the debate should go beyond the traditional donor/recipient relations and be based on mutual learning, respect and accountability and learning from African experience. Engagement of national parliaments and civil society, particularly African organisations should be support to ensure that the partnership is truly people-centred. She also asked for clarification on how the strategy would be used, and how it would affect other agreements and processes such as the Cotonou agreement, the EPA negotiations and the Governance Initiative.
One of the areas which were discussed in the debates that followed was governance, and especially the question of whose governance. Apart from putting pressure on African governments there is a great need to ensure that European governments live up to their own commitments and promises, and ensure more effective aid. Good governance of civil society was also brought up as an often forgotten aspect.
Regarding migration the question was raised whether it should be included in a joint strategy at all, since it is approached mainly as a problem for Europe. The point was made that the word migration is being misused and that there is a need to again establish its correct meaning; that is all movement of people, and not only that from Africa to Europe. With this definition the debate is assumed to deal rather with migration within Africa and the problems faced by many countries because of this.
In conclusion, African and European civil society should work to further develop their partnership. These and other issues raised will be discussed further through various events and groups of CONCORD, and together with African partners. In line with this, the Portuguese National Platform is, together with CONCORD and other partners, organising a Euro-African civil society forum for dialogue in Lisbon on the 29-31 October. The event will be attended by civil society actors and parliamentarians from both Europe and Africa, and will prepare recommendations to be presented to the Heads of States Summit in December. Topics on the agenda include democratic governance, various development issues as well as migration and development.
Sara Erlandsson, ECDPM
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