The EU’s New ‘Green’ Africa Policy Is Still Fixated on Migration

The EU’s New ‘Green’ Africa Policy Is Still Fixated on Migration
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, at a press conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, March 9, 2020 (AP photo by Olivier Matthys).

Editor’s Note: Every Friday, Andrew Green curates the top news and analysis from and about the African continent.

The European Union unveiled a new strategy this week for building a closer relationship with Africa that looks to move beyond the focus on migration that has dominated Europe’s engagement with the continent since 2015. Observers cautioned that despite new rhetoric from Brussels about adopting a shared response to climate change and improving trade relations, migration was likely to continue to dictate the EU’s relationship with African countries, and its spending across the continent.

“Our growth and security depend on what happens in Africa maybe more than in any other part of the world,” the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said after releasing the 18-page strategy. Though it is light on details, with no information on future investments in Africa, the plan does lay out the five areas where Europe sees opportunities for greater engagement. Along with climate, trade and migration, EU officials want to focus on assisting Africa’s digital transformation and improving peace and governance.

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