Europe and Africa - the enduring relationship

Abstract

This article looks at two aspects of interdependence between Europe and Africa. The first relates to economics, the seconds to security. Under current trends, Europe's future looks distinctively like that of Japan today - an island of inertia where national political changes produce new leaders but with little transformational leadership. Europe, though will remain attractive to non-European migrants from Africa and will remain an important partner of Africa despite its declining global position. The article concludes that European and african economic and security futures are closely linked and it is in the interest of both parties to ensure that the values of democracy, a respect for human rights and a rules-based global system replace the recent tilt towards unilateralism and hubris.