The sixth edition of the European Union-African Union summit will move past declarations of intent and aim to deliver actionable solutions.
(AL Jazeera) – The sixth European Union-African Union summit kicks off on Thursday in Brussels, with the aim of strengthening and recalibrating the economic and strategic partnership between European and African countries. It comes amid tensions over the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent wave of coups d’état in parts of Africa.
The two-day conference is expected to evolve from the donor-recipient dynamic that has often characterised post-colonial relations and instead deliver concerted solutions to global challenges including climate change.
“What you want from Africa, you should also expect Africa to want from you,” said Fred Ngoga Gateretse, head of the AU’s conflict prevention and early warning division, summing up the attitude of reciprocity driving the 55-member bloc ahead of the summit.
Forging a partnership as equals
Speaking at an online conference on Tuesday, Ngoga Gateretse said African nations were being more assertive, moving past a colonial mentality that had previously resulted in the acquiescence to EU proposals.
