EU and AU leaders meet in Angola for landmark summit

Leaders from the European Union and African Union gather in Luanda this week for the 7th EU-AU summit. The event marks 25 years of partnership and 50 years of independence for Angola and several other African nations. 

Co-chaired by Angola’s president Joao Lourenco and European Council president Antonio Costa, the summit focuses on “Promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism”.

Top EU and AU officials, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen andAU commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, will join two days of talks on peace, security, governance, trade, investment, migration and mobility. A joint declaration is expected on Tuesday.

The EU currently runs 12 civilian and military missions across Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Mozambique and Somalia. Support through the European Peace Facility continues to strengthen African efforts to prevent conflict and strengthen stability. 

Both unions also aim to deepen cooperation on climate action, UN reform, financial governance and G20 coordination.

Economic ties remain strong. The EU is Africa’s biggest trading partner and leading investor, with more than 238 billion euros in FDI stocks. Through the 150 billion euro Global Gateway programme, Europe also backs green energy, digital expansion, jobs, health and education across the continent. 

But as leaders praise partnership, one humanitarian case casts a shadow. Joseph Figueira Martin, a Belgian-Portuguese aid worker, has spent more than 500 days in arbitrary detention in the Central African Republic. Abducted by Russia-linked Wagner mercenaries while conducting research for an NGO, he has reportedly faced torture, threats and deteriorating health in Bangui’s Camp de Roux prison. Despite an EU parliament resolution calling for his release, no progress has been made.

^{Angola's president Joao, co-chair of the summit, in Strasbourg © FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP}