ECR MEPs Arkadiusz Mularczyk and Assita Kanko warn that Europe must adopt a far more strategic and values-based approach in its partnership with Africa, stressing that the EU can no longer afford to ignore destabilising external actors nor neglect institutional capacity-building on the African continent.

Their intervention came during the Pre-African Union–European Union Summit Parliamentary Meeting, held on 14–15 November 2025 in Midrand, South Africa, bringing together members of the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament under the theme: “Renewing Africa–Europe Parliamentary Cooperation in a Changing Global Context.”

Mr Mularczyk, Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, stressed the urgency of confronting destabilising Russian activities in both Europe and Africa. He said:

“Europe can no longer afford to treat Africa as an afterthought. If we leave strategic space open, Russia will fill it — and we will pay the price in our security, our economy and our geopolitical relevance.

“The EU must be visibly and credibly present in Africa. Our partnership must be built on mutual interests, stability and the strengthening of democratic institutions.”

Ms Kanko, Member of the EU–ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly, underlined the need for a strategic, long-term partnership that focuses on institutions and people. She said:

“Africa’s future and Europe’s future are intertwined. A resilient partnership must focus on investments, stability, education, mobility and the empowerment of young people — this is not just development policy, it is long-term strategic thinking based on mutual respect.

“We must also be clear and united in condemning violence against girls and women in all its forms — including the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, as well as practices such as female genital mutilation. The EU and African partners must fight these abuses through joint action and ensure that adequate legislation is in place to hold perpetrators accountable.”

The conference also highlighted the need to bolster the EU’s visibility in Africa, support conflict-affected regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and the Horn of Africa, and reinforce cooperation on security and supply-chain transparency. The declaration also calls for action against disinformation and for a renewed parliamentary dimension in AU–EU relations.