EU as Mentor? Promoting Regionalism as External Relations Practice in EU–Africa Relations

Abstract

This article examines regionalism in the context of the EU inter-regional relations with Africa. It especially focuses on the EU-African Union (AU) relationship. It evaluates this relationship using a typology based on the policy diffusion literature and challenges the notion that the AU is a model of the EU. It addresses the institutionalisation of Africa's own regional integration process in the context of the EU's broader external relations practice, which prioritises support for local processes. Rather than a model, the article argues that the EU is best placed to serve as mentor to the AU as the latter seeks to foster regional integration in Africa. By mentoring, the EU is able to fulfil its overarching external relations commitments to local ownership, and realise deepened further integration in Africa.

Africa–EU Relations and Normative Power Europe: A Decolonial Pan‐African Critique

“…There are two possible avenues of interpretation of this institutional overlap: a Eurocentric interpretation would deem this highly successful norm diffusion from the EU; a pan‐Africanist perspective appreciates the analytical relevance of this institutional isomorphism, but relativizes the overlap. Arguing that the EU's role in African regionalization is that of a ‘mentor’, Haastrup demonstrates that the AU is selectively adopting EU norms and practices selectively when it serves African interests (Haastrup, ). An optimistic account of EU norm diffusion within regionalism promotion would imply an ‘implicit Eurocentrism’, as it subdues the political contentions of this process and focuses only on the adoption of EU norms (ibid., p. 795).…”

A missed opportunity for regionalism: the disparate behaviour of African countries in the EPA-negotiations with the EU

“…However, instead of pushing regionalism in Africa, the EPA negotiations have highlighted the structural difficulties of regionalism in developing regions of the global south. This runs counter to the EU's expressed goal to actively support regionalism in other world regions and to establish interregional relations with these regions (Buzdugan 2013;Haastrup 2013;Draper 2007;Elgström and Pilegaard 2008).…”

Understanding the Connections between the EU Global Strategy and Somali Peacebuilding Education Needs and Priorities

“…Indeed, the EU has been accused of using democracy promotion as a smokescreen to promote its vital economic and political interests in Africa (Crawford, ) in a neo‐realist fashion. NPE has variously been described as: a force for good providing necessary guidance to developing countries (Sjursen, ); a force for the empowerment of African states through their inclusion into negotiations concerning, for example, the Kyoto protocol on climate change and the International Criminal Court (ICC) (Scheipers and Sicurelli, ), otherwise known as ‘partnership in ownership’ designed to empower states to take control of development (Pirozzi, , p. 41); or a suitable mentor to the African Union, implying that the EU has a broader norms and rules‐based educative role (Haastrup, ). Here, the EU is at least trying to instil transformative change in EU‐Africa relations through active partnership, equality and local ownership of policies, even though there is clearly a long way to go in achieving any such objectives (Haastrup, , 64).…”