WORLD THIS WEEK

The EU- Africa summit 2022: Issues and Challenges of a “special relationship”

What happened?

On 17 and 18 February, the leaders of the EU and African Union met for the sixth European Union - African Union summit in Brussels. The summit aimed to lay the foundations for a renewed and deeper AU-EU partnership of greater political involvement with mutual trust and understanding. The summit defined a new financial and economic deal, supporting Africa in its post-pandemic recovery policies. The EU reaffirmed its allegiance to providing 450 million vaccine doses to Africa by mid-2022. About 425 million euros will be allocated to ramp up the pace of vaccination. The focus was also given to investment in infrastructure, including transport, energy transition and digital transformation. Besides, the summit also discussed education, culture, mobility, and migration.

European Council chief Charles Michel proclaimed, "We are not here to carry on business as usual”. At the opening address, AU's chairman and Senegal's President Macky Sall said: "Our common ambition, Africans and Europeans, for this summit, is to achieve a renewed, modernized and more action-oriented partnership."

What does it mean?

First, The sixth EU-Africa Summit is significant as Africa is at the centre of geopolitics. China has made a significant influence on the continent through diplomacy and major infrastructure investments. Russia, India, Japan and Turkey also have an increasing interest in the region.

Second, the postcolonial view of Africa as a continent in need of European charity has now become outdated. Europe needs Africa as much as Africa needs Europe. However, the summit outcomes are questionable to match the EU’s rhetoric on “partnership of equals”. The EU's initiatives of “prosperous and sustainable partnership” appears to be under European interest rather than shared interests of EU and AU.

Mali: France’s troop withdrawal amid friction with military government

What happened?

On 17 February, France and its European and African allies released a joint statement announcing the withdrawal of their troops from Mali. The statement mentioned that the conditions in Mali, including “obstructions” created by the military government, were not suitable to continue their operations. French President Emmanuel Macron said: “Victory against terror is not possible if it’s not supported by the state itself.” Macron maintained that the withdrawal did not signify the failure of France in its mission against the insurgency in Mali and clarified that the military operations will now be headquartered in Niger. Further, Macron claimed that Russia had deployed its private military company Wagner in Mali. France24 quoted Macron: “This is the hiring by the Malian junta, using financing which they themselves will have to explain to the Malian people, of mercenaries who are essentially there to secure their own business interests and protect the junta itself.”

On 18 February, Nigerien President Mohamad Bazoum accepted the French proposal to redeploy troops from Mali in Niger. Bazoum tweeted: “Our goal is for our border with Mali to be secure” and reasoned that terrorist groups are likely to expand their influence in light of the latest developments.

What does it mean?

First, the withdrawal and redeployment of troops are visible signs of increasing challenges that France has to address if it wants to maintain its presence in the Sahel. It also signifies the gravity of the anti-French movement in Mali, which is gradually spreading to neighbouring countries including Niger.

Second, if the Russian mercenaries are indeed present in Mali, it would be a positive development for Russia which is building inroads into Africa through military relations. It would also be a testimony to the increasing involvement of private military companies in Africa, as was previously witnessed in Libya, the Central African Republic and Mozambique.

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China: PM Scott Morrison urges Beijing to denounce relations with Moscow

On 15 February, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged China to denounce Russia amid the growing tensions in Ukraine. Morrison's comments came from increasing ties between Moscow and Beijing. He said: "I do note that the Chinese government, together with the Russian government, have been banding together on this issue and that the Chinese government has not denounced what is occurring in Ukraine." Morrison also called on global federal lawmakers to join the Australian government to push China to respond appropriately through the UN rather than support Russia.

Taiwan: Taipei backs WTO case levelled against China

On 15 February, Taiwan joined the US and Australia as a third party under the WTO's dispute resolution mechanism for backing the EU trade case levelled against China over the alleged trade curbs placed on Lithuania. This comes after the EU had launched a challenge in the WTO, accusing Beijing of discriminatory market practices that it says would threaten the integrity of the EU's single market. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Joanne Ou stated: "Our country will cooperate with like-minded partners such as Lithuania and the European Union to maintain a rules-based international trading system."

Japan: IAEA team reviews plan of discharging treated radioactive wastewater

On 18 February, a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the Fukushima nuclear plant site to safely release a million tons of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The release plan has come under sharp criticism from neighbouring countries, leading to Japan seeking assistance from the IAEA for ensuring that the discharge meets international standards. IAEA's Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Lydie Evrard, said: "The IAEA taskforce made significant progress in its work this week to get a better understanding of Japan's operational and regulatory plans for the discharge of treated water."

Indonesia: Dutch PM apologizes for state's excesses in the Indonesian War of the 1940s

On 17 February, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte issued a formal apology after an inquiry revealed widespread ill-treatment and extrajudicial killings during the 1945-1949 Indonesian War of Independence. After the publication of the inquiry, Rutte stated: "I make a deep apology to the people of Indonesia today for the systematic and widespread extreme violence by the Dutch side in those years and the consistent looking away by previous cabinets." The government-funded inquiry was undertaken over four and a half years and presented a challenging perspective on the Dutch East Indies.

Australia: The UK to commit USD 46 million to the Indo-Pacific

On 17 February, the government in the UK announced that it would be committing USD 46 million towards strengthening its security pact with Australia in the Indo-Pacific. On a video call, UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed the peace and stability of the region. Further, they also talked about the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine. The funds pledged by the UK would strengthen resilience in cyberspace, state threats, and maritime security. While discussing the importance of maritime freedom in the South China Sea, the two leaders said they were opposed to: "any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order, including militarisation, coercion, and intimidation."

India: New Delhi signs a trade pact with Abu Dhabi

On 18 February, New Delhi signed a comprehensive bilateral treaty with Abu Dhabi in a virtual summit. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) targets more investments from the UAE into Jammu and Kashmir. The treaty is also aimed at creating more trade opportunities and connectivity to push the collective interests of India, Israel, and the US. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented: "This agreement will herald a new age in our financial relations. Our trade in the next five years will increase from $60 billion to $100 billion". The trilateral relations aim to improve the sectors of technology, innovation, and finance in the upcoming years.

India: Singapore's High Commissioner to New Delhi summoned by the MEA

On 17 February, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned

Singapore's High Commissioner to India for Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's criticism. Loong had mentioned: "While Nehru's India has become one where, according to media reports, almost half the MP's in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder. Though it is also said that many of these allegations are politically motivated."

India: Concerns about Afghanistan raised in the UNSC

On 17 February, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, drew the UNSC's attention to the threat of increased international terrorism and drug trafficking. His comments highlighted the crisis in Afghanistan and its wider ramifications in Central Asia. Tirumurti commented in the UNSC debate that was held for "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organization." He also called on the international community and sub-regional organizations to take cognisance of Central Asia's concerns on Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka: India delivers 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel

On 15 February, India delivered 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel amid the ongoing energy crisis in Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagay handed over the Indian Oil Company Limited (IOCL) consignment to the Sri Lankan Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila at the Colombo port. The fuel consignment came after Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa's visit to India, where he discussed the economic relief package for the island nation. The Indian High Commission assured Sri Lanka that it would continue this partnership to ensure energy security for its island neighbour.

About the Authors

Anu Maria Joseph is a Postgraduate scholar in the Department of Political Science at Madras Christian College. Apoorva Sudhakar is a Research Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Angkuran Dey and Meghna Manoj are Postgraduate scholars at the Center for South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University.

The report has been modified by India News due to space considerations.