Displacement theory: Why “peace enforcement” risks exacerbating conflicts in Africa
The United Nations and the African Union are moving towards the use of “peace enforcement” – but their preferred approach is unlikely to succeed
Africa
Putin’s grain gamble: A European response to Russia’s latest ploy
Russia is weaponising food insecurity for geopolitical gain. Europeans should focus their response on supporting the needs of African countries
Warmer welcome: Ways to engage with African solutions to the Russia-Ukraine war
African leaders are undertaking a mission to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. European leaders should not dismiss the effort
From rule-taker to rule-maker: Africa in the changing world order
As African countries look to redefine their role in the shifting global landscape, they should pursue non-alignment and aim to help shape the rules of the future world order
Big returns: How Europe can respond to the climate crisis and build goodwill in the global south
European leaders could unlock hundreds of billions of dollars in development finance to support vulnerable countries grappling with debt distress and climate change. But an obscure ruling by the European Central Bank is stopping them
Operation reciprocity: France’s evolving relationship with Africa
A lighter military footprint for France in Africa will reveal the true depth of its relations with the continent – and could provide a model for the broader European approach
Neither America nor China: How Europeans can shape a new order with the global south
Resisting the drift into US-China duopoly will be welcome among states of the global south – and will strengthen Europe’s relations across the board
The roots of peace: Why Europeans should help re-establish support for local dialogue in the Sahel
It is necessary to move beyond overly militarised strategies for stabilisation in the Sahel. Local dialogue initiatives can address the roots of conflict – but require consistent buy-in from national governments
Key players: Why mining is central to the EU’s critical raw materials ambitions in Africa
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act provides an opportunity to redefine the EU’s relationship with Africa – but it can only do so with the mining sector and European industrial actors on board
Rerouting goodwill: The risks of diverting aid from Africa to Europe
European countries risk undermining their Africa strategies if they continue to neglect the numerous crises on the continent and divert aid to Europe
Publications
Tricks of the trade: Strengthening EU-African cooperation on trade in services
Services play an increasingly important role in international trade. Improving EU-African trade in services would have wide-ranging benefits for both sides
Back to barracks: Building democracy after the military coup in Sudan
Sudan needs a viable political pathway to end the military coup of 2021. European states should support pro-democracy actors while encouraging a comprehensive peace process
Trading aims: The value of Africa’s deep integration trade agreement
Africa’s new trade agreement promises deep economic integration on the continent – and offers the opportunity for greater African-European cooperation, including on the role trade can play in the green and digital transitions
Shared fortunes: Why Britain, the European Union, and Africa need one another
A closer relationship between Britain, Africa, and the EU would benefit all sides. But this would require the British government to change its approach to Europe as well as to Africa.
Gateway to growth: How the European Green Deal can strengthen Africa’s and Europe’s economies
Africa’s burgeoning innovation economies offer huge opportunities for the continent – and for Europe as it looks to tackle the climate crisis and respond to China’s BRI global connectivity programme
The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe
ECFR’s policy experts examine what the Taliban takeover means for countries and regions around the world: Europe, the US, the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Sahel
Mapping African regional cooperation: How to navigate Africa’s institutional landscape
Regional organisations have proliferated in Africa, with many organisations attempting to address similar issues in similar parts of the continent. Europeans should take stock of the situation they have helped create.
Disorder from Chaos: Why Europeans fail to promote stability in the Sahel
The Alliance aimed to integrate security, development, and governance perspectives but has struggled to find coherence and effectiveness
A return to Africa: Why North African states are looking south
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
Bad company: How dark money threatens Sudan’s transition
The transition will only succeed if the government stabilises the economy and civilians work hard to tilt the balance of power away from the military
Articles
Displacement theory: Why “peace enforcement” risks exacerbating conflicts in Africa
The United Nations and the African Union are moving towards the use of “peace enforcement” – but their preferred approach is unlikely to succeed
Putin’s grain gamble: A European response to Russia’s latest ploy
Russia is weaponising food insecurity for geopolitical gain. Europeans should focus their response on supporting the needs of African countries
Warmer welcome: Ways to engage with African solutions to the Russia-Ukraine war
African leaders are undertaking a mission to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. European leaders should not dismiss the effort
From rule-taker to rule-maker: Africa in the changing world order
As African countries look to redefine their role in the shifting global landscape, they should pursue non-alignment and aim to help shape the rules of the future world order
Big returns: How Europe can respond to the climate crisis and build goodwill in the global south
European leaders could unlock hundreds of billions of dollars in development finance to support vulnerable countries grappling with debt distress and climate change. But an obscure ruling by the European Central Bank is stopping them
Operation reciprocity: France’s evolving relationship with Africa
A lighter military footprint for France in Africa will reveal the true depth of its relations with the continent – and could provide a model for the broader European approach
Neither America nor China: How Europeans can shape a new order with the global south
Resisting the drift into US-China duopoly will be welcome among states of the global south – and will strengthen Europe’s relations across the board
The roots of peace: Why Europeans should help re-establish support for local dialogue in the Sahel
It is necessary to move beyond overly militarised strategies for stabilisation in the Sahel. Local dialogue initiatives can address the roots of conflict – but require consistent buy-in from national governments
Key players: Why mining is central to the EU’s critical raw materials ambitions in Africa
The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act provides an opportunity to redefine the EU’s relationship with Africa – but it can only do so with the mining sector and European industrial actors on board
Rerouting goodwill: The risks of diverting aid from Africa to Europe
European countries risk undermining their Africa strategies if they continue to neglect the numerous crises on the continent and divert aid to Europe
Specials
Mapping African regional cooperation
This project maps African regional initiatives in west and central Africa and provides a data-based and a geographical overview of the ‘à la carte’ nature of African regional cooperation
Mapping armed groups in Mali and the Sahel
Violence is tearing Mali and the Sahel apart. But who are the armed groups behind the bloodshed? Where are international actors stationed in the region? And what motivates them all?
Podcasts
The Sudan conflict and its impacts on the region
Mark Leonard is joined by Theodore Murphy, Julien Barnes-Dacey and Marie Dumoulin to talk about Sudan
The Clash of Orders with Comfort Ero on Nigeria
Mark Leonard is joined by Comfort Ero to learn more about the Nigerian perspective on global order
The EU and France in the Sahel
What does the end of Operation Barkhane in its current form mean for the Sahel?
All eyes on Ethiopia: What the EU and the US can do
What are the regional implications of the Tigray conflict and the prospects for transatlantic cooperation around the issue?
Europe’s pivot to Africa
Where do we stand now in building a “strategic partnership” between the European and African continent?
Events
22 Jun
Global Gateway Africa: il piano di investimenti europeo per il continente
L’incontro, organizzato dal mensile Africa e Affari, da Confindustria Assafrica e Mediterraneo e da ECFR con il sostegno di Lufthansa Group e di Assolombarda, ha l’obiettivo di analizzare le ragioni politiche dietro il Global Gateway
13 Jun
A renewed partnership between Europe and Africa: where do we stand?
In February 2022, the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) agreed on a common vision to consolidate a renewed partnership around three pillars:…
15 May
Second ECFR Forum on Strategic Raw Materials – Strategic Partnerships for Investment and Impact
The EU’s publication of the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act on 16 March 2023 creates an opportunity to redesign the EU’s relationship with Africa while…
3 Mar
Seizing the moment, after the whirlwind: Nigeria after the 2023 general elections
The just-concluded general elections in Nigeria throw-up multiple contradictions. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the declared winner, cannot resolve these by simply waving the proverbial magic wand.
6 Dec
Securing Critical Raw Materials: Europe’s strategy to compete
The event will convene a select group of European decision-makers and opinion-shapers from across business, civil society, European governments and the European Commission
2 Dec
Sahel-North Africa-Europe: Addressing the vertical pathway of instability
A panel discussion organized in collaboration with the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in the framework of the 8th edition of the Rome MED – Mediterranean Dialogues, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI)
15 Oct
Making multilateralism work for Africa
This event takes place in the context of the 10th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa
29 Sep
Berlin Africa Forum
ECFR is launching a series of high-level convenings, with a view to defining a shared concept of the Africa-Europe strategic partnership in the emerging new global order
27 Jun
Europe and Africa in a time of crisis
European officials and thinkers to talk about challenges and opportunities presented by today’s political, security and economic crises
15 Feb
EU-African Union Summit: making the most of the European Green Deal and Global Gateway
To what extent can the European Green Deal and Global Gateway be shaped to satisfy both European and African interests?
In the media
It looks like everything is being done to find a political dialogue with the junta, which might be able to open up and make demands
Maddalena Procopio delves into the possibility of ECOWAS pursuing negotiations in Niger in the aftermath of the July 26 coup
Wagner is crouching and there is no doubt that the group will try to take advantage of the coup if it is successful
Lauriane Devoize’s analysis on the risks arising from the coup in Niger for regional stability
It will be increasingly essential for the EU to negotiate with actors such as the Brics, especially in the perspective of drawing closer to Africa
Maddalena Procopio’s analysis on the progressive relevance of the Brics on the international scene, and on the growing importance of their connection with Africa
Niger is a key ally for all the Europeans involved in the Sehal
Lauriane Devoize comments on the issues raised by the current situation in Niger and the importance of cooperation between Europe and Niger in the fight against terrorism and migrant smuggling
Ecowas has a lot at stake, so at political level, because of fear from the ‘coup contagion’, threatening other democracies in the region
Lauriane Devoize comments on Niger, particularly about what is at stake for Ecowas, politically and on a security level