CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 03/2023

LE MONDE AFRICAN UNION
In June, Austrian Foreign
Minister Alexander
Schallenberg welcomed his
counterpart from Tanzania,
Stergomena Lawrence Tax, in
Vienna.
tending to provide grain to six African
countries: “We want the Black Sea to be
open to the world market; we did not come
here to ask for donations.”
Undoubtedly, the African continent has
become a significant power factor in global
politics. This is also due to the fact that the
association of African countries, the African
Union (AU), has evolved into a notable
voice for the continent. The predecessor of
the AU was the “Organization of African
Unity” (OAU), founded on 25 May 1963.
Its main task at that time was to support the
remaining colonies in their process of gaining
independence, unify the continent
and contribute to peacefully resolving the
numerous interstate conflicts. Kwame
Nkrumah, the former president of Ghana,
urged at the founding summit, “We must
unite now — or perish!”
Given the multitude of diverse cultures,
languages and political interests, the years
that followed were not easy. In the West,
“Our two unions share the same vision:
the vision of a common space of stability
and prosperity.”
Ursula von der Leyen
criticism often emerged that the OAU was
a debating club lacking enforcement power
and that many members were far from democratic.
Additionally, a fundamental issue
arose, one that we also recognise in
Europe: few states were willing to cede
more sovereignty than absolutely necessary
to the OAU.
In 2002, the AU was finally established
as a successor organisation with expanded
competencies. The EU served as a model.
Today, the AU has 55 members. Additionally,
a free trade zone has been created,
with nearly all states participating. Internationally,
the AU presents itself more confidently
than before. It aspires to a permanent
seat on the UN Security Council as
Africa’s voice and aims to become a member
of the G-20 group of nations. This has
garnered clear support from Europe.
The AU even has its own organ for
peacekeeping, the Peace and Security
Council. However, the recent coup in Niger
cant reserves of natural resources. Additionally,
the population, currently at around
1.4 billion, is projected to nearly double to
2.5 billion by the year 2050. With a young
and dynamic population, there is vast potential,
particularly when paired with appropriate
education. Austria’s economy has
already recognised these opportunities.
Each year, the Austrian Economic Chambers
(WKÖ) organises the Africa Days, a
series of high-profile expert meetings. During
the most recent Africa event earlier
this year, Mariana Kühnel, deputy secretary
general of the WKÖ, underscored once
again the continent’s substantial importance
to the domestic export industry.
Austria’s exports to Africa currently
amount to around two billion euros annually.
However, 80 percent of these exports
are directed to just seven countries. Kühnel
highlights significant untapped opportunities
in this regard.
In the context of the climate transition,
economic experts point out the significant
role the African continent currently plays
and will continue to play in the generation
of alternative energy. Morocco is a leader in
the field of green energy. This was one of
the reasons why the Austrian federal chancellor
travelled to the Kingdom in March,
dedicating three days to discussions.
Austria’s Africa policy is not conducted
in isolation. The continent’s importance is
recognised across the EU, and the Commission
is fully committed to fostering
stronger contacts. Key signals for cooperation
are the summits between the EU and
AU. The most recent one took place in
Brussels in February 2022, and its goals
were certainly ambitious: to establish a
forward-looking foundation for a sustainable
partnership on an equal footing. Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen
explained, “Our two unions share the same
vision: the vision of a common space of stability
and prosperity.” Simultaneously, she
announced an impressive investment package:
150 billion euro to aid in building
stronger and more sustainable economies.
However, a few days after the summit
and its objectives, they were completely
overshadowed by the Russian attack on
Ukraine. To this day, this war continues to
impact relations with several African states,
as there are widespread differences
within the EU regarding the condemnation
of the offensive war. Apart from this,
Russia’s role and its growing influence in
Africa have long concerned the West.
Nevertheless, the recent Russian-African
summit in St. Petersburg demonstrated
that several African states can indeed assert
themselves confidently against Moscow.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
responded critically to Vladimir Putin’s generously
presented announcement of in-
PHOTOS: MICHAEL GRUBER, EUROPEAN UNION
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