WAKE UP AND DEFEND YOUR TIME WITH ALL YOU HAVE NOW-

TO ALL AFRICANS AND PARTICULARLY THE YOUTHS YOUR CURRENT RULERS WITH AFRICAN UNION LEADERS ARE IN BED AGAIN WITH THE GRANDCHILDREN OF THOSE WHO INSLAVED/SOLD YOUR GRANDPARENTS AND STAGNATED YOUR DEVELOPMENT WITH RULES ARE IN BED AGAIN ROMANCING.

Partnership summits between the EU and the African Union reflect Europe's need to retain political influence by serving as a platform to project its priorities, frame the terms of the relationship, and counter the growing influence of geopolitical rivals. They are a tool for a renewed, though still asymmetrical, partnership that seeks to legitimize Europe's continued role as Africa's primary partner.

Countering Geopolitical Rivals

One of the most significant functions of EU-AU partnership summits is to visibly counter the rising influence of other global players, particularly China and Russia. For years, Europe's dominance in Africa was largely unchallenged. However, China's "no-strings-attached" investment model and Russia's use of private military contractors have created alternative avenues for African nations to seek capital and security.

• The Global Gateway Initiative: As a direct response to China's Belt and Road Initiative, the EU has promoted its Global Gateway strategy at these summits. The initiative, with a pledge of €150 billion for Africa, is presented as a "values-driven" and "transparent" alternative to what the EU portrays as China's "debt trap diplomacy." By showcasing a major investment package, the EU aims to demonstrate its commitment and reassert its position as a more reliable and responsible partner. The summits provide a high-level stage to formally launch and publicize these initiatives, creating a narrative of competition that frames Europe as the better choice.

• A "Rules-Based" Order: The summits are also used to rally African leaders behind a "rules-based international order," a phrase frequently used by European leaders to implicitly criticize the actions of Russia and China. This diplomatic language seeks to align Africa with Europe's geopolitical vision and secure support in international forums, such as the United Nations, on issues like the war in Ukraine or the regulation of global trade.

Projecting a New Partnership Model

European elites use the summits to publicly shift the narrative of the EU-Africa relationship from a "donor-recipient" dynamic to one of equal partnership. This re-framing is essential for maintaining political influence in a post-colonial world.

• A Shared Vision: The 6th EU-AU Summit in 2022, for example, resulted in a "Joint Vision for 2030" that emphasized shared challenges and mutual interests. By using terms like "equality" and "respect," European leaders seek to acknowledge African agency and legitimacy, making continued European influence appear less like a colonial legacy and more like a modern, mutually beneficial arrangement.

• Agenda-Setting Power: Despite the rhetoric of equality, Europe retains significant agenda-setting power. While African leaders may raise their own priorities, the summit's final communiqués often heavily reflect European concerns, such as migration, security, and climate change. This ensures that the high-level dialogue remains focused on issues that are most pressing for European domestic politics and strategic interests.

Consolidating and Legitimizing European Influence

Ultimately, the summits are a high-level exercise in consolidating and legitimizing Europe's influence.

• Structured Dialogue: By institutionalizing the relationship through regular summits, ministerial meetings, and commission-to-commission meetings, Europe creates a formal structure that it can manage and control. This "partnership architecture" ensures that dialogue is constant and that Europe remains at the center of African policy discussions.

• Soft Power and Political Leverage: The summits are a powerful form of soft power. They bring together heads of state and government, fostering personal relationships and diplomatic ties that are crucial for maintaining influence. They also provide a platform for European leaders to offer aid packages and sign agreements that create a subtle form of leverage over African governments. The political prestige and financial benefits of these agreements can be a powerful tool for encouraging compliance with European policy goals, such as cooperation on migration or support for specific economic reforms.