By Matik Kueth
At the third EU-AU ministerial meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, foreign ministers from the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) committed to enhancing collaboration in peacekeeping, security, and economic development, emphasizing the need for concrete actions beyond pledges.
Selma Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, affirmed that both sides were dedicated to strengthening multilateralism, international cooperation, and upholding international law as the cornerstone of a fair global order. She underscored the importance of reforming multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, to ensure they are inclusive and effective in promoting peace and security.
Haddadi also highlighted the shared goal of boosting economic ties, developing resilient markets, and encouraging investments to drive inclusive growth and opportunities across both continents.
The meeting took place in the context of a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that the session reviewed progress since the last EU-AU Summit in February 2022. She reaffirmed that the EU and its member states remain Africa’s closest partners in cooperation.
Kallas pointed out the major shifts that have occurred since their last meeting: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in Sudan, and France’s military withdrawal from the Sahel, which has opened space for increased Russian influence in the region. She also addressed the growing challenge of misinformation, stressing the need for continued efforts to counter false narratives and external malign influence.
As African nations like Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Niger deepen their ties with Russia, sometimes at the cost of traditional Western partnerships, Kallas revealed that the EU has appointed a new Special Representative for the Sahel to address these shifting dynamics.
The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, focused on how the EU and AU can deepen their cooperation amid significant challenges. While the EU works to resolve the Ukraine crisis and reassess transatlantic relations, African nations are focused on resolving ongoing conflicts, including in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kallas reiterated the EU’s support for African peace and security, citing the European Peace Facility, which has contributed over €1 billion, and noting that more than half of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy missions are currently based in Africa.
The Brussels gathering, attended by over 70 delegations including more than 50 ministers, also addressed key priority areas such as critical raw materials, artificial intelligence, regional integration, and migration. The AU reaffirmed its commitment to tackling climate change, boosting food security, expanding education, and strengthening cultural ties between the continents.
Last year, the African Union Commission became a full member of the G20, representing 55 countries and approximately 1.5 billion people. Looking ahead, both the EU and AU will mark the 25th anniversary of their enduring partnership later this year. The upcoming seventh EU-AU Summit, to be hosted in Africa, will celebrate this milestone, although the exact date remains unconfirmed.