Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe demands a surge in European support for its civil society
Mutual aid and civilian representative groups have proven their capability and deserve deeper European backing
Africa
The sweating bear: Why Russia’s influence in Africa is under threat
While Russia remains a potent player in parts of Africa, recent events in the Sahelian states have shown that Russian forces are deeply overstretched and losing credibility. It is obvious to all involved that Moscow has no solutions – which leaves a diplomatic opening for the West
Value-added and value lost: The macroeconomic limits of China’s Africa strategy
China’s overcapacity has hit Europe’s economies hard, but it is also damaging Africa’s. With both continents suffering, Africa and Europe can make common cause in confronting this mutual challenge
2 Oct
LA RUSSIA OLTRE IL MEDITERRANEO – La presenza di Mosca in Africa e le implicazioni per gli interessi europei
Negli ultimi anni, la presenza della Russia in Africa è cresciuta significativamente, sia nel Nord Africa che nell’Africa Subsahariana, presentando una sfida strategica per l’Europa e, in particolare, per l’Italia. Mosca ha rafforzato la sua presenza nel continente attraverso una serie di accordi bilaterali, cooperazioni militari, e investimenti economici e nel settore energetico. Questo incremento di influenza è stato percepito come una mossa strategica per aumentare il suo peso globale e per contrastare l’influenza occidentale
Time for action: Envisioning a new approach to protect civilians in Sudan
As warring parties squabble over empty verbal commitments, civilian protection in Sudan has taken a backseat. European governments must urgently prioritise their safety
25 Sep
Critical minerals and EU-Africa strategic partnerships: where do we stand?
Amid global geopolitical tensions, the EU has been ramping up efforts to diversify its mineral value chains by forging strategic partnerships with resource-rich African nations
18 Sep
Researchers’ dialogue: Unlocking Africa-Europe-Gulf relations
Policy and research circles are increasingly interested in Gulf monarchies’ expanding footprint in Africa, though the challenges and opportunities of the deepening Gulf-Africa relations for…
17 Oct
Das ÜberLeben der Anderen: Warum Deutschlands Sicherheit global gedacht werden muss
Konflikte in Gaza, im Sudan und in der Ukraine, irreguläre Migration, Klimakrise und Extremismus: Die Welt wird von immer mehr gleichzeitig aufretenden Krisen erschüttert, die…
Maghreb migrations: How North Africa and Europe can work together on sub-Saharan migration
North African countries are increasingly adopting ‘security first’ approaches towards sub-Saharan African migrants – a shift that could force EU states to rethink their own approach to the issue
Deserted: Europe’s dilemma in the Sahel
On Saturday, Germany became the latest European country to withdraw military forces from the Sahel. Other states may go further, closing embassies. But walking away, wagging a patronising white finger at states facing existential threats will do nothing to stabilise the region
Publications
Maghreb migrations: How North Africa and Europe can work together on sub-Saharan migration
North African countries are increasingly adopting ‘security first’ approaches towards sub-Saharan African migrants – a shift that could force EU states to rethink their own approach to the issue
Beyond competition: How Europe can harness the UAE’s energy ambitions in Africa
The UAE has invested heavily in Africa’s energy sectors in recent years, expanding its stakes in oil and gas, and renewables. Rather than viewing the UAE as solely a rival, Europeans should pursue a strategy of “co-opetition”, balancing competition with cooperation in areas of mutual interest, to fast-track green initiatives
From mines to markets: How Africa and Europe can become green industry partners of choice
African and European decision-makers can achieve mutual benefit on critical raw materials – but the EU should be clearer about which parts of the value chain it wishes to invest in
Strategic interdependence: Europe’s new approach in a world of middle powers
Middle powers are shaping a fragmented world for which Europe is ill prepared. To protect its interests and values, the EU needs a foreign policy strategy that emphasises its wide range of interdependencies
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
Articles
Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe demands a surge in European support for its civil society
Mutual aid and civilian representative groups have proven their capability and deserve deeper European backing
The sweating bear: Why Russia’s influence in Africa is under threat
While Russia remains a potent player in parts of Africa, recent events in the Sahelian states have shown that Russian forces are deeply overstretched and losing credibility. It is obvious to all involved that Moscow has no solutions – which leaves a diplomatic opening for the West
Value-added and value lost: The macroeconomic limits of China’s Africa strategy
China’s overcapacity has hit Europe’s economies hard, but it is also damaging Africa’s. With both continents suffering, Africa and Europe can make common cause in confronting this mutual challenge
Time for action: Envisioning a new approach to protect civilians in Sudan
As warring parties squabble over empty verbal commitments, civilian protection in Sudan has taken a backseat. European governments must urgently prioritise their safety
Deserted: Europe’s dilemma in the Sahel
On Saturday, Germany became the latest European country to withdraw military forces from the Sahel. Other states may go further, closing embassies. But walking away, wagging a patronising white finger at states facing existential threats will do nothing to stabilise the region
Out of focus: Making progress on climate financing for Africa
The lack of financing for climate projects in Africa is a major obstacle for the continent to reach its goals under the Paris agreement. In this critical year for climate finance, scattered efforts threaten to stymie real progress
The final nail: Niger’s break with the US
Europe’s old Sahel strategy is dead – and Russia is circling over its carcass
Trading bases: The Red Sea tinderbox and the maritime economy
Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes expose how actors beyond the great powers can weaponise an interdependent global economy. To help overcome this threat, Europeans should advocate cooperation between the US and China
Dream bigger: The next steps for Italy’s new Africa strategy
Italy’s much anticipated Africa strategy has some promising elements, but needs broadening if it is to really contribute to Italian, European, and African interests
Not just hot air: Realising the potential of the EU-Namibia green hydrogen partnership
The EU and Namibia have launched the roadmap of their renewable hydrogen partnership. To ensure it effectively helps the EU’s sustainability goals and boosts Namibia’s economic growth, planning should be clearer and more realistic
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
Africa: Not just about migration
In the first big multilateral test for prime minister Giorgia Meloni, this mini-series will explore the four main priorities of Italy’s 2024 G7 presidency: Ukraine, AI, infrastructure, and Africa
The future of the Red Sea
Mark Leonard welcomes Cinzia Bianco and Theodore Murphy to discuss the crisis in the Red Sea and its escalation potential
Africa and the changing global order
Jeremy Shapiro welcomes Adebayo Olukoshi, Brian Kagoro, and Theodore Murphy to talk about Africa and the global order
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
17 Oct
Das ÜberLeben der Anderen: Warum Deutschlands Sicherheit global gedacht werden muss
Konflikte in Gaza, im Sudan und in der Ukraine, irreguläre Migration, Klimakrise und Extremismus: Die Welt wird von immer mehr gleichzeitig aufretenden Krisen erschüttert, die…
2 Oct
LA RUSSIA OLTRE IL MEDITERRANEO – La presenza di Mosca in Africa e le implicazioni per gli interessi europei
Negli ultimi anni, la presenza della Russia in Africa è cresciuta significativamente, sia nel Nord Africa che nell’Africa Subsahariana, presentando una sfida strategica per l’Europa e, in particolare, per l’Italia. Mosca ha rafforzato la sua presenza nel continente attraverso una serie di accordi bilaterali, cooperazioni militari, e investimenti economici e nel settore energetico. Questo incremento di influenza è stato percepito come una mossa strategica per aumentare il suo peso globale e per contrastare l’influenza occidentale
25 Sep
Critical minerals and EU-Africa strategic partnerships: where do we stand?
Amid global geopolitical tensions, the EU has been ramping up efforts to diversify its mineral value chains by forging strategic partnerships with resource-rich African nations
18 Sep
Researchers’ dialogue: Unlocking Africa-Europe-Gulf relations
Policy and research circles are increasingly interested in Gulf monarchies’ expanding footprint in Africa, though the challenges and opportunities of the deepening Gulf-Africa relations for…
23 Jul
UAE-Africa nexus: Navigating a new multipolar landscape
As European leaders navigate the EU’s strategic future amid rising geopolitical tensions, a critical mass of middle powers, from India and Turkey to the Gulf…
12 Jun
Corridoio India-Medio Oriente-Europa: tra sfide attuali e potenziale strategico
La discussione “Corridoio India-Medio Oriente-Europa: tra sfide attuali e potenziale strategico”, organizzata dall’ufficio di Roma dello European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) ed ELEC – European League for Economic Cooperation, avrà luogo, in forma virtuale, mercoledì 12 giugno 2024 dalle ore 16:30 alle ore 18:00 sulla piattaforma Zoom
15 May
Beyond geopolitical competition: cooperating to enable Africa’s energy access and green industries
The global energy transition has become a battleground for competing interests, with Africa emerging as a pivotal arena. International players vie for access to Africa’s…
6 May
African Voices: African reforms and priorities for Climate Finance
The lack of affordable finance for climate projects in Africa is a key barrier for the continent to reach its adaptation and mitigation goals. It…
2 May
Breaking the Debt Deadlock in Africa: the IMF’s Balancing Act with China
The economic shock after COVID-19 plunged many African economies into debt trouble. Yet, four years later, the current system for restructuring debts – the G20 Common…
19 Mar
Sudan crisis: humanitarian response in the lead-up to the Paris Summit
Sudan is facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Ethnic killing plagues Darfur once again, millions have been displaced, and now a famine is looming. The fighting…
In the media
We have tons of different middle or rising powers backing different local actors across Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland and Ethiopia for their own geostrategic or economic ends
Outside of the stock market fibrillations, the fear is that Libya will run out of hydrocarbon revenues and that state coffers will be emptied, fostering instability and illicit economic activities
If those sponsoring the Unsmil UN mission in Libya fail to take control and create space for a new political process, Libya will continue to disintegrate on every front
