Tensions overshadow African Union-European Union Summit in Angola

African and European leaders met in Angola on Monday for the seventh African Union-European Union Summit, a two-day gathering that was expected to focus on economic cooperation and security issues.

Instead, the summit was overtaken by tensions between Europe and the United States regarding the Ukraine conflict.

Some European officials claim that the United States' proposal for ending the Ukraine war does not align with European interests.

They argued that the Trump peace plan was one of the reasons for the growing distance between Europe and the United States.

Before formal proceedings began, European Union leaders held emergency talks at a Luanda hotel to discuss Ukraine rather than African development matters.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the talks laid the groundwork for further collaboration, although unresolved issues remain.

German leader Friedrich Merz and Polish leader Donald Tusk later joined the main sessions.

Angola's President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço welcomed incoming heads of state, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi.

Addressing the summit, which followed the G20 meeting in South Africa, where the absence of the United States highlighted geopolitical divisions, President Lourenço remarked that global security was deteriorating.

He noted that conflicts in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East continued to escalate and stressed the urgency of rescuing multilateralism.

President Ramaphosa asserted that the Africa-Europe partnership should continue to strengthen.

Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, stated that Africa and Europe remain significant players in the international system.

The strong focus on Ukraine comes as the EU-AU partnership marked its 25th year. Formed in Cairo in 2000, the relationship now faces growing pressure as other global powers increase their activity in Africa.

China, the United States, Russia, Gulf states, and Turkey are expanding their engagement as Africa's critical minerals and energy resources draw global attention

DAILY NEWS