Africa, for EU geopolitical challenge with China and Russia passes through the role of regions

Brussels – Do more and do better, with a vision worthy of the name, strengthening partnerships structurally and strategically. The EU in Africa must be more present and in a better way for reasons of economic, geopolitical and prospective interest, and in this, the regions can and must play a role. A political agenda strongly supported by the European Committee of the Regions (COR), which unanimously approved the report on the role of regions and municipalities in implementing the Africa strategy.

The political sense of the text is summed up by Guido Milana (Action/Re), a member of the Olevano Romano City Council and the measure’s rapporteur. “We must distinguish between aid and investment,” he stresses. The EU has so far insisted on the former, a choice that does not pay and even less will in the future. “One cannot passively watch the work of China and Russia,” who are playing their respective games on the continent.

Beijing and Moscow’s presence in Africa is strong and already poses a puzzle for Europe. There are not only trade relations and economic partnerships, there are also military alliances between some African actors, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic. The current Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has made no secret of wanting to increase his country’s presence in the mainland, even militarily. “There is a geopolitical issue” that arises, Milana insists, and the European Union appears to lag.

The resolution adopted by the European Committee of the Regions calls for work to make up for lost time and ground by putting local authorities at the centre. Cities and regions of Europe should play a more important role in defining the priorities of the Africa-EU partnership in areas where regions and cities generally have significant responsibilities,” the Renew member continues. Twinning, but not only. African cities are experiencing an unprecedented urbanization process. “They are growing by 100,000 inhabitants a year, with all that that means: need for services, schools, housing.” Milana’s remark, which is concerned about the immediate future, is not accidental.

Against the backdrop of political manoeuvring by foreign powers and African social changes, there’s the demographic issue. “Between now and 2050, the EU will lose 50 million people, dropping from 450 million to 400 million. In contrast, Africa will grow from 1.3 billion to two billion people” over the same period. People who, if not put in a position to remain, “will march towards Europe.” And, Milana further warns, all of this is likely to be “accelerated by climate change” and the creation of those climate refugees the EU fails to manage and who will be more than half of the EU population expected by mid-century.

It is no coincidence that the opinion for which Milana is rapporteur encourages cooperation on an equal footing between EU and African municipal and regional governments in areas such as municipal services, infrastructure, territorial economic development, local governance, and vocational training. The hope of the Committee of the Regions and Milana is that the next European Commission will be able to treasure the approved report, take charge of the agenda for Africa, and play the delicate geopolitical game by helping local governments play their part.

 The outgoing Commission seems to have understood the scope and theme of the report. “Where EU cooperation with central authorities is limited, local and regional authorities are the only interlocutors, along with civil society organizations,” stresses the head of international partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen.