马格里布和欧洲对非洲的竞标

CIDOB notes Internacionals 228 highlights the strategic priority of Africa in European Union (EU) foreign policy. The EU's interest in Africa is evident across various leadership changes and appointments, with a notable visit by President Ursula von der Leyen to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital and headquarters of the African Union. This signals a strong commitment to engage Africa as a priority area.

However, the report acknowledges the differing narratives surrounding Africa within the EU - one seeing it as a space of opportunities and another as a locus of instability and threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has further brought Africa into focus on the European agenda, but it remains uncertain how this will impact other priorities.

In the context of the "new agenda" proposed for the EU's engagement with Africa, the report questions the role of the Maghreb region, particularly the countries of the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, and Mauritania). It suggests three approaches to addressing the Maghreb's role: substitution, segmentation, or convergence. The convergence approach is recommended, which involves treating Africa and the Maghreb as part of the same commitment, seeking synergies between the two priorities.

The report argues that the EU's relationship with Africa is shaped by geographical proximity and colonial history, which has led to an asymmetric donor-recipient dynamic. The EU has adopted different strategies to engage with Africa, including continent-wide policies, the ACP framework for trade and development, and bilateral agreements with individual states. However, these strategies often focus on addressing Africa's challenges rather than exploring opportunities or considering the EU's role in global issues.

To move forward, the report suggests adopting a new geopolitical imagination that connects the Mediterranean region and Southern Europe to the broader Euro-African space. This could involve enhanced political dialogue with the Maghreb countries, improved institutional solutions for synergizing cooperation, a post-COVID-19 adaptation of the agenda, and a shift from silo-based working practices. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of aligning with the Sustainable Development Agenda and leveraging shared commitments to achieve these objectives.