Europe to partner Africa, handout regime over - EU, AU chiefs meet

The European Union (EU) says it is changing its attitude towards Africa, from the aid handout mode to one of a mutual partnership.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini held a meeting with her African Union (AU) counterpart, Moussa Faki Mahamat in Brussels on Monday.

“We are moving from the traditional, purely aid centred approach to Africa, to a real partnership, this is the best way to manage migration, this is also the best way of preventing radicalization and facing the challenges, but also getting the opportunities that the African continent offers to its young population,” the EU chief said.

Moussa Faki whiles largely agreeing with Mogherini said the root causes of migration needed to be addressed rather than their consequences. “…by sending people away, building camps, building barriers, we will never solve these problems,” he said.

In a post-meeting interview, Mogherini described the AU as a valuable, serious and consistent partner when it comes to shared values between the two political blocs.

“We always find in the _AfricanUnion a valuable, serious and consistent partner". FedericaMog with MoussaFaki_M ▶️https://t.co/3tCiBgnAoZ pic.twitter.com/sTM2RO0hte

— EU External Action (eu_eeas) May 15, 2017

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels focused largely on events in Africa as part of a general discussion this week on the bloc’s defence and security strategy.

Aside the issue of migration, also on the agenda was possible future military missions in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the security situation in Somalia and South Sudan.

The AU chief subsequently addressed the ministers on Tuesday in the Strasbourg Chamber.

Migration, sustainable development, economic diplomacy as well as youth and issues to do with peace and security on the continent were among the issues raised by Mahamat.

Listening to MoussaFaki_M, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, speaking at the European Parliament in #Strasbourg #EPlenary pic.twitter.com/ZHeHau5MwX

— Cécile Kyenge (ckyenge) May 16, 2017