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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has been President of the Russian Federation since 31 December 1999, except for a brief four-year interlude from 2008 to 2012 during which he held the office of prime minister but effectively maintained his political authority. During Putin's 26-year rule, Russia has been at war, overtly or covertly, for 21 years. Putin's first term coincided with the launching of the Second Chechen War, intended to be brief but which lasted for 10 violent years. In 2014, during Putin's ...

Under the current administration, the United States (US) has shifted from long-standing cooperation with African partner countries to priorities driven by US economic gains, security interests and migration control. Traditional US foreign aid channels have been dramatically downsized, while trade and global competition for critical resources have played a conspicuous part in US engagement with African countries. While some African governments welcome the emphasis on trade and investment, others face ...

The Commission's proposal for the 2028-2034 Global Europe instrument seeks to ensure a more strategic approach, in line with the objectives of the EU's internal policies – particularly migration control, while taking on board EU and partner countries' mutual interests. It deeply restructures the EU's external financing architecture, introducing a new system of geographic pillars, a global pillar, and a flexible 'cushion', while integrating several existing instruments ranging from development cooperation ...

The Planet pillar – The African Union and European Union share a commitment to multilateralism, enshrined respectively in the Treaty on European Union and the African Union Constitutive Act. Both partners are committed to international law, the United Nations (UN) Charter and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They advocate a more effective and accountable global governance system, with a stronger role for the African continent. However, differences in stances and procedures hamper their ability ...

The People pillar – Most African migration is intra-continental, but the European Union (EU) attracts many Africans seeking jobs, education and stable regimes. Ageing populations and skills gaps in the EU offer opportunities for African migrants, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial migration partnerships. Cooperation focuses on three pillars: addressing the root causes of migration, tackling migrant smuggling and irregular migration, and developing legal migration pathways. EU-Africa ...

The Peace pillar – The European Union (EU) is a long-standing and active partner for peace and governance in Africa, providing both substantial financial and operational support. Cooperation between the EU and Africa in the area of peace and security promotes Africa's ownership – the principle of 'African solutions to African problems' – and recognises the African Union as a central player in this field. EU common security and defence policy missions and operations, together with the European Peace ...

African and European Heads of State or Government will meet in Luanda (Angola) on 24 and 25 November 2025 for the Seventh European Union (EU)-African Union Summit. The Africa-EU partnership faces significant challenges, including global geopolitical shifts and shrinking development finance. Central to the EU's new approach, the Global Gateway strategy aims to mobilise €150 billion by 2027 to boost Africa's digital connectivity, transport infrastructure, and energy transition. However, questions remain ...

Prosperity pillar (2/2) – Youth and natural resources are key assets for Africa and its partnership with the European Union. To harness these assets, Africa and its European partners need to address climate-related challenges, energy poverty, health system gaps and education shortfalls. Joint initiatives are under way in all these areas; however, the Seventh European Union -African Union Summit will have to tackle asymmetries and tensions over differing priorities. This publication is part of a series ...

The Prosperity pillar (1/2) – Africa's economic transformation is central to the partnership between Africa and the EU. Unlocking the continent's potential is not only key to its own development but also to boosting global competitiveness for both Africa and Europe. This requires reducing investment risks, strengthening regional value chains, and supporting intra-African trade. Progress depends on improving the mobilisation of domestic resources and addressing unsustainable debt levels. Expanding ...

The Sudanese are caught in a devastating civil war, driven by deep political fragmentation, with far-reaching humanitarian and human rights consequences. While President Al-Bashir's ousting in 2019 had raised hopes for a democratic transition, deep divisions between the regular Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) derailed power-sharing attempts. This has triggered violent conflict across the country since April 2023, exacerbating hostilities between communities ...