AU-EU Summit in Luanda: Migration and the search for a "balanced partnership" at the heart of the discussions

On the second day of the African Union-European Union summit in Luanda, the issue of migration dominated discussions. Despite still widely diverging positions, the African delegations expressed their hope for a more sincere and balanced partnership.

Migration, the central issue in discussions on November 25, remains one of the most sensitive topics between Africa and Europe. While both sides affirm their desire to strengthen cooperation, differences persist. Several African delegations believe that the sincerity of certain European countries on this issue is regularly called into question, particularly in light of the restrictions imposed on the mobility of Africans.

However, behind the scenes, optimism remains. African representatives hope to use this summit to shift positions and engage in a more open dialogue. The Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Léon Kacou, speaking to our colleagues at RFI, also called for "putting all issues on the table" to move towards a more balanced cooperation that benefits both continents.

This debate is part of the seventh African Union-European Union summit, held since Monday, November 24, in Luanda, Angola. For two days, nearly eighty heads of state and government met to strengthen their partnership and address strategic issues such as trade, precious minerals, and migration.

But for this second day of meetings, the Luanda conference center has fewer leaders. Several heads of state and government left the Angolan capital on the evening of November 24. Despite these departures, the work continues with the objective stated since the opening of the summit: to rethink the AU-EU relationship and establish a truly "win-win" dynamic.

Photo credit: Courrier International