Sudan: A war Europe cannot stop, but cannot ignore
El-Fasher in North Darfur is now the epicentre of the world’s greatest humanitarian catastrophe. Europe’s options are limited, but there are still ways to hold the responsible accountable
Africa
23
Oct
Africa
Strategic minerals, strategic futures: Africa at the heart of shifting global security
At the seventh Berlin Climate and Security Conference, hosted by the German Federal Foreign Office in cooperation with adelphi, ECFR Africa chaired a breakout session on the strategic importance of minerals and Africa’s role amid geopolitical turmoil. As the global race for clean technologies intensifies – spanning energy, defense and digital sectors – Africa’s…
From street to state: Madagascar’s new leader and the case for EU engagement
Madagascar’s recent regime change is being described as a coup—but its young people should take the credit. The EU needs to support the Malagasy population and lend its technical expertise to the island’s new government
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence
Africa
Mining the future: Clean tech competition and Africa’s place in global power play
As the global race for clean technologies accelerates—spanning energy, defense, and digital sectors—Africa’s critical mineral reserves have become central to a new era of geopolitical and geoeconomic competition, where climate goals, industrial policy, and strategic influence increasingly converge. Global powers are repositioning themselves across the continent, not only to secure supply chains but to shape…
17
Sep
Africa
Reframing relations: Germany’s Africa agenda under a new government
Africa is gaining ground on Germany’s foreign policy agenda, with updated Africa policy guidelines and the new coalition agreement reaffirming a more interest-driven approach centred on energy diversification, skilled labour, migration governance, and multilateral reform. This shift is part of a wider European trend. Countries such as Denmark, Norway, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom…
Africa
Beyond raw and refined: Mineral value addition in Africa’s industrialisation
Europe has explicitly committed to supporting more mineral processing and value addition taking place in African mineral-rich countries, including as part of the mineral strategic partnerships that the EU has signed with Namibia, Zambia, the DRC, and Rwanda. African governments aim to leverage growing interest in critical minerals to unlock more domestic value addition, which…
The Gulf rush: How Europe can keep up in Africa
Gulf powers are rapidly expanding their investments across Africa while Europe remains slow and risk averse. To remain competitive, the EU should focus on achieving what the Gulf cannot: industrial development in Africa that serves both African and European interests
From ore to more: Mineral partnerships for African industrialisation
After decades of extractive mining, the industrialisation of resource-rich African countries has fallen short of expectations. To change this—and give Europe a secure, diversified source of minerals—European and African countries should work together to keep more stages of mineral processing and manufacturing in Africa
The falcons and the secretary bird: Arab Gulf states in Sudan’s war
The Arab Gulf states’ pursuits in Sudan keep fuelling violence. But their wealth and influence mean any lasting peace will necessarily hinge on their cooperation