Africa

[Stakeholder] “Fortress Europe” Is The Root Cause Of Strains In EU Africa Relations

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2023

[stakeholder]-“fortress-europe”-is-the-root-cause-of-strains-in-eu-africa-relations

The search for a “partnership of equality” between African countries and the European Union is a slow and unsteady process that continues to be a challenge.

The EU’s shock over African states’ non-intervention in the war in Ukraine and disagreements over unequal distribution of Covid-19 vaccinations have strained relations. The EU’s hopes of engaging in connectivity diplomatically through the roll-out of Global Gateway in Africa are also challenged by the fact the initiatives come with little to no new funding.

Shada Islam says: “Tunisia has lost its status as the poster child of the Arab Spring.” It has instead become a tragic illustration of the collateral damage caused to the EU by its restrictive migration policies.

The racist and discriminatory nature of the ‘Fortress Europe” migration policies of the European Union, which are seen as a reminder by many African countries of Europe’s colonial history and involvement in slavery, has become a major obstacle to the creation of a new EU Africa policy.

Recent troubling events in Tunisia are a warning about how the EU’s migration policy has strained relations between Europe and Africa. It also shows how Europe’s panic over migration and the free passes it gives to certain “transit countries” in Africa empowers populist leaders, who then unashamedly and intentionally cause societal and political disruption.

Tunisia, once viewed as the lone’success’ story of the Arab Spring, is now on a perilous course under the leadership of president Kais Saied. Tunisian leaders undertook several democratic reforms from 2011 to 2019 — accumulating anger, as well as economic mismanagement and political mismanagement. This opened a window for Saied’s election as president.

The new president then assumed all power through a “constitutional coup”, freezing the unpopular Parliament and voting in a brand new constitution that gave the head of executive extensive prerogatives, a limited role for the parliament, and no independence for the judiciary.

Since then, the regime has targeted counterpowers by harassing and imprisoning President Ghannouchi’s political opponents. Rached Ghannouchi was arrested most recently. She is a prominent opposition leader, and the head of the Islamist Ennahdha party, which played an important role in the mismanagement of the country after 2011.

Even those who have been calling for him to be held accountable for years are not happy about this news.

The president alienated Tunisia economically and diplomatically, particularly through his repeated sabotaging comments towards traditional partner nations, international financial institutions, and humanitarian organisations. Saied’s latest statement was to denounce “foreign directives” imposed on the IMF, a legitimate concern had the government he created not been negotiating with the same institution since months.

He has also used narratives that are inflammatory and unsubstantiated about migration, with ongoing consequences for the EU and Africa.

In late February of this year, for example, the presidency issued a communique in which it denounced what it called a “criminal conspiracy aimed at demographically changing the Tunisian Society’s composition” by mass immigration from sub-Saharan Africa.

The claim, which is directly inspired by the work of the tiny Tunisian nationalists, is that there is an international conspiracy to encourage sub-Saharan Africans, particularly through the work done by humanitarian NGOs, to remain in the nation.

This state-sanctioned racist behavior sparked a wave in citizen violence and police violence towards migrants. Many were physically and verbally abused, as well as losing their homes and jobs. A number of migrants protested in Tunis for weeks before being violently removed by police.

Some choose to return home voluntarily, while other have attempted to cross the Mediterranean in haste, leaving Italy with a record number of irregular migrants seeking refuge in the country.

No Way North

But migrants will not find a safe haven on the other side: “Fortress Europe” is building razor-wire fences and steel walls.

This month, the European parliament voted on a resolution that endorsed the use of EU funds for the construction of “border barriers”. Some S&D lawmakers even broke ranks in support of the initiative. Italy has also declared a state-of-emergency on immigration.

“Fortress Europe”, meanwhile, is accelerating the process of “destination” for southern neighbouring countries without their consent or that of migrants. Tunisia, for example, has a fragile economy. It is difficult for migrants with low skills to obtain work permits and the youth of Tunisia are trying to leave.

Josep Borrell is the EU’s chief of foreign policy. He said that the crisis in Tunisia was “very dangerous”. If it collapses socially or economically, we will face a situation in which new migrants will flood into Europe. We must avoid this situation.”

Italy has also asked the International Monetary Fund to release $1.9bn [€1.73bn] Tunisia was given a loan because there were fears that a lack of liquidity would further destabilise Tunisia, leading to an increase in the number of migrants heading towards Italy.

The President Saied has used a rising economic crisis to fuel a strong anticolonial and antieuropean nationalism.

Tunisia’s political turmoil also demonstrates the African Union’s limitations in stopping authoritarianism. The Union’s commissioner for political affairs stressed “zero tolerance”, in February 2022, towards undemocratic regimes in Africa at the EU-AU Summit in Brussels.

The AU condemned the “great replacement” speech of Tunisia’s leader, especially after a number African countries repatriated their nationals in an emergency. There has been no suspension of Tunisia and no expulsion, as there is no precedent for such an action, nor any mechanism to sanction a state on the basis of racism.

In order to re-engage African states in a modern and inclusive way, the EU needs to be clear-eyed about how its messy and mismanaged approach to migration from Africa has caused societal and political disruptions across the continent – particularly in its southern neighbours.

The EU is not prepared to stop enforcing measures to slow migration, so it is unlikely that it will stop supporting authoritarian politicians. Tunisia is not an exception, especially when you consider how important it is to Italy, a country whose far-right leaders have been Kais Saied’s main supporters in recent months. Nevertheless, there are some immediate measures that could be taken.

First, improve regular migration pathways, beginning with not using visas to pressurize Tunisia into taking back its irregular migrants. Tunisians are forced to wait months and pay exorbitant costs to get a Schengen Visa appointment. They are also increasingly denied. This not only increases resentment towards Europe, but also encourages people to use unsafe and irregular migration methods.

Second, the EU should refrain in supporting austerity measures in Tunisia, such as those prescribed by the IMF, which will have a tremendous impact on the middle and lower classes, and, in turn boost irregular migration. Imagine the impact of austerity on poorer countries that are more volatile economically.

Tunisia no longer represents the “Arab Spring”. It has instead become a tragic illustration of the collateral damage caused the EU’s restrictive immigration policies. “Fortress Europe”, the real reason that Europe and Africa find it difficult to communicate as equal partners, is “Fortress Europe”.

Author

Murad van Zijtveld

View all posts

Africa

Kenyan President’s Church Donation Causes Riots

Published

3 weeks ago

March 11, 2025

Jennifer Maas

A church donation by Kenyan President William Ruto has caused unrest in the country, the BBC reports. Protesters tried to storm a church that had received a large donation from the head of state. Police had to use force and tear gas to disperse them.

The protesters tried to enter the church and set it on fire. The demonstrators used stones to block roads. In the ensuing clashes with the police, some people were detained, the exact number of whom was not specified.

The donation of 20 million shillings ($155,000) to the “Jesus Victorious Ministry” in the Nairobi suburb of Roysambu has caused discontent among Kenyans struggling with the high cost of living. Ruto defended his actions and offered a similar gift to another church in Eldoret.

According to Ruto, the donation is an attempt to address the country’s moral decline. “Kenya needs to know God so that we can put to shame those who tell us we cannot communicate with the church,” he noted.

Last year, both Kenya’s Catholic and Anglican leaders rejected donations, arguing that there was a need to protect the church from being used for political purposes.

Kenyans were angered by a series of tax increases introduced after Ruto was elected in 2022. In 2024, a wave of nationwide protests forced Ruto to withdraw his finance bill, which contained a series of tax increases.

Photo: His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto was sworn in on September 13, 2022, after winning the Presidential election.

Author

Jennifer Maas

View all posts

Africa

Shadows Over Democracy in Mozambique

Published

5 months ago

October 21, 2024

Cynthia Robinson

In a deeply concerning development in Mozambique’s political landscape, the European Union (EU) has condemned the recent killings of two prominent figures: Elvino Dias, a legal advisor to Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, and opposition politician Paulo Guambe. The EU stated that these politically motivated murders have no place in a democracy and expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

The EU’s strong condemnation comes in the wake of alarming reports regarding the violent dispersal of political supporters following last week’s elections in Mozambique. The Union has called for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the killings, demanding justice for those responsible and clarity on the circumstances surrounding these outrageous crimes. The EU reiterated its hope for a timely response from the Mozambican Government, emphasizing that a quick and effective inquiry is essential to restore public confidence.

In addition to seeking accountability for the murders, the EU has urged all parties to exercise restraint during this turbulent post-electoral period. The organization underlined the importance of respecting fundamental freedoms and political rights, asserting that strong protective measures for all candidates are crucial to ensuring their safety and fostering a more stable political environment.

Meanwhile, the European Union Election Observation Mission remains actively engaged in Mozambique, closely assessing the ongoing electoral process. The EU expects the country’s Election Management Bodies to uphold integrity in their operations, ensuring that the electoral process is conducted with due diligence and transparency—reflecting the will of the Mozambican people.

As the nation grapples with the implications of these political killings, the international community watches closely, hoping for accountability, peace, and the preservation of democratic values in Mozambique.

Author

Cynthia Robinson

View all posts

Africa

The European Union and Morocco: Navigating Trade Relations and Geopolitical Issues

Published

6 months ago

October 14, 2024

Nicole Edenedo

The European Union and the Agreements with Morocco: An In-Depth Analysis of Recent Developments

The European Union (EU) has recently taken crucial decisions regarding its fisheries and agriculture agreements with Morocco, a matter that raises complex economic, political and legal issues. These agreements, which allow European vessels access to Moroccan waters and facilitate the import of Moroccan agricultural products into the European market, are essential for both parties. However, they are also marked by tensions linked to the Western Sahara issue.

Legal background to the agreements

The fisheries and agriculture agreements between the EU and Morocco have been renewed several times since they were first signed. However, their legitimacy has been called into question, notably following rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In 2016, the CJEU annulled a fisheries agreement, arguing that it failed to comply with international law, particularly with regard to the rights of the Saharan people. The Court stressed that the resources of Western Sahara cannot be exploited without the consent of its people, leading to a re-evaluation of existing agreements.

Morocco’s position and international support

Morocco has championed an autonomy initiative for Western Sahara, proposing a solution that would allow the territory to enjoy a degree of autonomy while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. This initiative has received the support of over 100 nations, including major geopolitical players such as the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Germany and Spain. This international support is crucial for Morocco, as it strengthens its position on the international stage and enables it to legitimize its actions regarding the Western Sahara.

Morocco maintains that the proposed autonomy is the best solution for ensuring stability and development in the region. The Moroccan authorities maintain that this initiative could encourage dialogue and cooperation between the various stakeholders, while guaranteeing respect for the rights of local populations.

Reactions from the Polisario Front

In contrast, the Polisario Front, which claims independence for Western Sahara and is supported by Algeria, advocates a referendum on self-determination for the Saharan people. This position has historically enjoyed some international support, but is currently less popular in the current geopolitical context.

The difficulties of implementing a referendum are manifold. Analysts point out that issues such as voter registration, factional tensions and security concerns make it a complex option. Moreover, international support for the Polisario Front has waned in recent years, further complicating its position.

Economic consequences of the agreements

The fisheries and agriculture agreements are of vital importance to the Moroccan economy. The fishing industry, in particular, is an essential source of income and employment, especially in coastal regions. Access to the European market enables Moroccan fishermen to sell their products at a competitive price, while meeting the growing demand for seafood products in Europe.

At the same time, the agricultural agreement also opens up opportunities for Morocco to export agricultural products, promoting the development of Moroccan agriculture. For the EU, these agreements guarantee a stable supply of food products while supporting sustainable fishing, which is crucial in the context of growing concerns about food security in Europe.

Future challenges

The challenges facing the EU and Morocco are many. The need to reconcile economic interests with the requirements of international law and humanitarian concerns is paramount. The situation in Western Sahara continues to be a sticking point influencing EU negotiations and decisions.

The EU seeks to maintain advantageous trade relations with Morocco while respecting the principles of international law. The complexity of this situation calls for continuous and constructive dialogue between the various parties, in order to find lasting solutions that are acceptable to all.

Future prospects

In the future, the EU may consider modifications to its agreements to ensure their compliance with international legal standards while safeguarding its economic interests. Enhanced dialogue between the EU and Morocco will be essential to navigate these complexities. Morocco’s international support could also play a key role in future discussions, influencing EU decisions.

In summary, the EU’s decision on fisheries and agriculture agreements with Morocco represents a delicate balance between economic interests, legal considerations and humanitarian issues. Future discussions will need to take these various aspects into account to achieve sustainable solutions, while recognizing the international context that shapes this dynamic. The future of EU-Morocco relations will depend on the ability of both parties to overcome current challenges and cooperate constructively for the development of the region.