The time seems particularly opportune for refreshing the relationship between South Africa (SA) and the European Union (EU), especially given a new NGU in Pretoria and a new European Parliament as well as Commission leadership in Brussels. In addition, the current combination of many geo-political factors in an exceptionally fluid global context strengthens and adds urgency to an existing need for revitalising this relationship as well as the entire Africa-Europe relationship.
The bi-continental relationship between Africa and Europe, underpinned by physical geography, has over many centuries evolved into a mutually important one which is interwoven, multi-facetted and generally positive. The potential benefits from an improved utilisation of this relationship are considerable with relevance for Africa which has the EU as its top trading partner, where it can especially help address needs for greater sophisticated depth in sustainable economic growth inclusive of upscaled value and scope in expanded value-chains.
The relevance of an improved SA-EU relationship positively impacting the broader bi-continental relationships, where the EU has particular relevance, is underscored by SA having an important relationship with both. Having one of Africa’s strongest, diversified and most sophisticated economies well enables it to utilise the extensive range of opportunities offered by Europe with the EU being its most important economic partner, source of investments and partner in providing development support. Simultaneously the value which the EU attaches to SA is exemplified by the fact that the only Strategic Partnership which the EU has with any African country is that with SA.
Unfortunately, the entire bi-continental relationship seemingly continues to both under-perform and face challenges with many having roots in the past. Any reformat of the relationship should include such intangibles as those relating to mindset and perceptions which help establish the foundations for all else including economic deals and link with underlying soft power which nurtures the relationship.
The EU-African relationship unfortunately remains negatively influenced by the colonial period with an imbalanced set of partners having Africa as the weaker that is relatively dependent on the other. This is unhealthy for a thriving partnership and the page must be turned with both sides giving greater commitment to, and pursuing, mutually beneficial relationships between equal partners with entrenched mutual respect and open-mindedness. Actions by the EU to convincingly convey that its paternalism has ended along with patronizing mindsets should be displayed in its institutional architecture, policy focus and diplomacy vis-à-vis Africa. Many say, for example, that there has not been enough of a shift away from having the primary facet of the EU relationship with sub-Saharan Africa remaining the framework established with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, currently contained in the new OACPS-EU Agreement, which continues to have strong overtones from a colonial past and is particularly asymmetrical in nature with the EU being in a dominant position especially by controlling financial benefits to the ACP states.
The imbalanced capacities of the secretariats of the EU and African Union (AU) also help result in an unbalanced relationship which has been largely chosen by the EU as the other key institutionalized context for interactions. Once again, the interaction is often largely driven by the EU rather than having African choices of dialogue and deliverables. In discussions about interaction relating to a bioeconomy in Africa the AU Sustainable Forest Strategy (2020-2023) and similar frameworks should, for example, be the basis for dialogue not EU versions.
South Africa with its unique attributes and experiences can be a key player in promoting a revised EU-Africa relationship, simultaneously helping bridge variations of the historic bi-continental relationship with those in other international contexts where South Africa’s unique nature enables it to play a key role ranging from those of the Indian Ocean region to the BRICS. Unfortunately, South Africa’s recent withdrawal from its “qualified” membership of the ACP, which included political dialogue, undermines its abilities to lead construction on a basic cornerstone of the EU-African relationship.
Ongoing uncertainties about the timing of the next high-level EU-SA summit help undermine the relationship further. Media allegations that SA has ignored EU requests for a new summit for more than a year have been denied but this important political event is long overdue, and the impression of weak enthusiasm is strengthened by the fact that the last bi-continental summit between the EU and AU was held in February 2022.
Recent statements from the EU that it is willing to lift a decade-long ban on imports of red meat from SA but is waiting for SA to engage in discussions regarding how it can comply with EU phyto-sanitary criteria nevertheless show a willingness to diplomatically engage at a time when new challenges in the relationship are seemingly brewing. In July this year SA, after many years of bilateral technical discussions, requested WTO involvement to investigate what it claims are discriminatory measures taken by the EU in blocking imports of SA citrus based on issues relating to health concerns. The unfortunate situation that SA no longer has formal trade representatives at any of its foreign diplomatic missions presumably helps cripple its normal outreach activities including discussions to solve problems and keep dialogue going.
The EU relationship is especially beneficial to help Africa develop new economic frontiers especially in sectors where the EU is a world leader with these including the bioeconomy where agriculture and forestry are especially important for Africa. Manufacturing and processing are other key sectors with much potential for partnerships and linkages to the bioeconomy where the success of commercial forestry contributing to an extensive value chain and downstream value-add remains a good example of what the African bio-sector can achieve. Clean energy is another important sector where the EU and its members are giving billions of Euro to Africa, and synergises well with the other sectors noted.
The importance of an improved relationship is especially well- illustrated by the need for dialogue regarding the roll-out of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), the world’s first carbon border tax aimed at embedded greenhouse gas emissions of products imported into the EU which has begun to negatively impact African trade. In its implementation the EU, as in many other cases, has underestimated the co-lateral damage on many other countries especially Africa. This underlines the urgent need for upscaled diplomatic dialogue between African and EU stakeholders.
Also of critical importance is the need for greater shift from developmental assistance, a traditional major EU focus, towards improved trade, investment flows and business partnerships with improved business-enabling facilitation measures and supportive regulatory frameworks. It is imperative that business is actively involved in the relationship process and should do more to assert its involvement. Financial institutions along with other relevant stakeholders including results-orientated think tanks also need a strengthened presence.
SA must diplomatically use a range of opportunities now available to leverage an improved relationship with the EU and along with it achieve a key position in facilitating a strengthened bi-continental relationship, beneficial for all but especially for Africa.
Dr John Maré is a former South African diplomat now an adviser on international public affairs and diplomacy. John Maré: jhemare@worldonline.co.za
The article was first published in the Business Day on 10 October 2024.
