The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) convened a high-level plenary session to reflect on 25 years of partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) under the theme “From Cairo to Luanda: A 25-Year Parliamentary Stocktake of AU-EU Relations.”
Held in collaboration with the Open Society Foundations, the European Think Tanks Group, and the Centre for Human Rights, the session brought together parliamentarians, diplomats, civil society representatives, academics, and private sector leaders to assess achievements, challenges, and future priorities ahead of the upcoming 7th AU-EU Summit.
Opening the session, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, called for a candid reflection on the state of AU–EU relations. He acknowledged the long-standing collaboration but cautioned that structural imbalances continue to place Africa in a subordinate position.
“Africa must assert its rightful place on the global stage,” he stated. “Our partnerships must be grounded in mutual respect, tangible outcomes, and equitable engagement for all citizens.”
He emphasized the importance of African unity, strategic negotiation, and strong parliamentary oversight in translating commitments into concrete benefits for the continent.
Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez, Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union, recognized Europe’s contributions to governance, peacekeeping, and development, while acknowledging the need to prioritize Africa-led growth initiatives.
“Our engagement must evolve beyond traditional aid,” he said. “We must support Africa’s priorities through partnerships that empower citizens and foster sustainable development.”
The session also examined Africa’s strategic positioning within global partnerships. Ibrahima Kane (Open Society Foundations) underscored Africa’s resource wealth and the importance of collective negotiation in areas such as trade, fisheries, and critical raw materials. Dr. Benedikt Erforth (German Institute of Development and Sustainability) urged that future cooperation generate real economic value through industrialization, job creation, and investment in productive sectors—avoiding models that perpetuate dependency.
Peace and security featured prominently in discussions led by Dr. Julian Bergmann (German Institute of Development and Sustainability). He noted that while the EU has been a key supporter of African peace operations, asymmetries in decision-making persist. Calling for a rebalanced framework, he urged that the forthcoming Luanda Summit send a clear signal of mutual commitment—through enhanced coordination on conflict prevention, mediation, cybersecurity, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
A session on the Global Gateway explored how this initiative could serve as a platform for reimagining investment cooperation between Africa and Europe. Speakers including Claude Kabemba, Deprose Muchena, Dr. Theophilus Acheampong, and Elisabeth Hege emphasized transparency, African ownership, and parliamentary oversight as vital to ensuring sustainable outcomes. They called for fair access to financing, alignment with Africa’s industrial priorities, and investment in green energy and digital connectivity.
A dialogue on mobility, skills, and migration, featuring Ibrahima Kane, Claire Kumar (ODI Global), and Sakhile Phiri (Nelson Mandela University), focused on promoting legal and safe migration pathways and circular migration frameworks that support skills transfer and economic growth. Presenters stressed that well-managed migration can address demographic challenges and strengthen people-to-people connections, provided that migrants’ rights and dignity are protected.
Throughout the deliberations, Members of Parliament underscored the importance of ensuring that partnerships deliver tangible economic benefits, empower citizens, and prioritize youth and women. They called for collective negotiation in trade and investment, transparency in partnership frameworks, and stronger parliamentary diplomacy to advance Africa’s strategic interests.
The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to building an Africa–EU partnership rooted in equity, transparency, inclusivity, and mutual accountability—one that fosters sustainable development and shared prosperity for citizens across both continents.
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