Musings From Abroad

EU Chief, Leyen urges more engagement with Africa

Published

2 weeks ago

September 15, 2023

European Commission (EU) President, Ursula von der Leyen, has called on countries in the region to engage more African countries.

Leyen made the charge in her annual policy speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday, while also accusing Russia of stirring chaos in the Sahel. She also stated military coups destabilised the region, making it prone to risk of terrorism.

At the same occasion, the EU extended its punitive measures against individuals who endanger or undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence for an additional six months, until 15 March, 2024.

“Sanctions will continue to apply to almost 1 800 individuals and entities altogether, many of which are targeted in response to Russia’s ongoing unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine”, the EU said in a statement.

“This is of direct concern for Europe – for our security and prosperity,” von der Leyen said.

“We need to show the same unity of purpose towards Africa as we have shown for Ukraine. We need to focus on cooperation with legitimate governments and regional organisations,” she added.

The EU’s promised massive infrastructure expenditure in the developing world is progressing slowly. Von der Leyen is generally anticipated to run for re-election to the EU executive after a continental election next year.

Nigeria and other African countries have been beneficiaries of the EU’s boycott of Russian goods, particularly its gas and grain following the body’s sanction on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

Related Topics:Africa EU Featured Ursula von der Leyen

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Musings From Abroad

Germany to support ECOWAS with $86 million

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will receive 81 million euros ($85.9 million) in support from Germany’s Development Ministry for peacekeeping and economic growth.

“The crises in West Africa require regional solutions. In addition to actively mediating in crises, ECOWAS also actively works to prevent crises, according to Development Minister, Svenja Schulze, who met with an ECOWAS delegation on Friday in Berlin.

Germany enjoys a positive reputation in many African countries thanks to its long-standing alliance with nations like Niger and Nigeria, although it has fallen out with the Malian government, which is notorious for its counter-posture to the West. Hundreds of German soldiers are also on missions across the West African sub-region, which has now become a breeding ground for terrorists.

But the case is different when it comes to economic relations. In 2021, German companies invested around $1.6 billion (€1.68 billion) in Africa, which was “encouraging but still far from enough.” In terms of Germany’s total direct foreign investment around the globe, only around 1% ends up in Africa.

China has led the chart for investment into the continent in recent years. While Chinese investment shows the fastest growth, and expanding, the significance of German enterprises for African economies is shrinking.

Musings From Abroad

UN Security Council approves funding of regional force, EACRF

Published

4 days ago

September 28, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

A proposal to fund the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has received official approval from the UN Security Council.

The EAC Secretary General, Dr Peter Mathuki, while speaking after a meeting with the Security Council during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, said the deal would be finalized soon after Monusco finally withdrew from the DRC by December this year.

“What has happened is that the UN Security Council is very keen and appreciative of the role of the EAC in supporting the security of the eastern DRC,” said Dr Mathuki.

“They have agreed to work a mechanism that will support our troops in DRC, and they said as Monusco closes down, and reduces their numbers in DRC, they will wish to strengthen the EACRF.”

Dr. Mathuki stated that he had asked the Security Council to assist in funding the EACRF, which at the moment has more than 4,000 soldiers from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan, as they prepare to scale down Monusco.

“We have proposed funding the EACRF, and the UN Security Council said they are meeting in December which we will be able to determine how much they can draw down from Monusco and how much they will be able to get to fund the EACRF,” Dr Mathuki said.

Last week, DRC President, Felix Tshisekedi, in his address at the UN General Assembly, argued that Monusco’s withdrawal was crucial to ending the conflict between the Congolese people and the mission.

“The acceleration of the withdrawal of the Monusco becomes an imperative necessity to ease tensions between the latter and our fellow citizens,” he said.

Meanwhile, there seems to be a rising tide of anti-UN peacekeeping forces in some African nations. Mail had earlier requested that the UN end its mission in the country and withdraw, and the UN complied, ending the MINUSMA mission there.