The European Union has been told to engage more with African countries.
The continental bloc’s chief executive, Ursula Von der Leyen said this on Wednesday, accusing Russia of stirring chaos in the Sahel and saying military coups destabilise the region, making it prone to risk of terrorism.
In her annual policy speech to the European Parliament, von der Leyen said, “This is of direct concern for Europe—for our security and prosperity.”
“We need to show the same unity of purpose towards Africa as we have shown for Ukraine. We need to focus on cooperation with legitimate governments and regional organisations,”
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Von der Leyen, widely expected to seek a second term at the helm of the EU executive after a continent-wide election next year, spoke as the bloc’s promised major infrastructure spending in the global south moves at a snail’s pace.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
