But can African states consider an EU-Africa relationship beyond aid? Frequent requests for access to additional funding deprive African states of a material and symbolic resource for negotiating on an equal footing. The partnership with Africa was dubbed a priority for reasons related to geography, history, economics and migration management. In a March 2020 communication, the EU Commission again stated its ambition to forge a 'partnership of equals' with Africa. It also complicates the development of common positions for Africa that EU financing instruments have so far structured into distinct regions.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 17, 2020 05:15 UTC