European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for increased engagement with African countries on Wednesday (September 13), arguing that the European Union must adopt a “new strategic approach” toward Africa in light of Russia’s expanding diplomatic presence on the continent.
Von der Leyen stressed the direct relevance of this issue to Europe’s security and prosperity, accusing Russia of fomenting instability in the Sahel region and contributing to the destabilization caused by military coups, which, in turn, heighten the risk of terrorism.
She emphasized the need for the EU to demonstrate the same level of commitment to Africa as it has shown toward Ukraine, saying, “Think about the Sahel region, one of the poorest yet fastest-growing demographically.”
“The succession of military coups will continue to destabilize the region for years to come, and Russia is both exerting influence and benefiting from the resulting chaos,” she added.
“We must prioritize cooperation with legitimate governments and regional organizations,” von der Leyen stated, announcing that Brussels would embark on crafting “a new strategic approach” in preparation for a forthcoming summit with the African Union.
