The Africa–EU Partnership and African Agency: Model or Pareidolia?

Abstract

This chapter entails an examination and discussion of the AU’s star partnership with the European Union (EU), which is often touted as the epitome of African agency. It does this by examining different aspects of the partnership. It starts with a discussion of the role of history and its longevity in improving African agency. It twins longevity with the role of diplomacy and high-level engagement. Thereafter it examines the scope and extent of EU support to the AU, especially the various APSA institutions. It specifically examines how the partnership morphed itself into the agential philosophy of the partnership agreement. It also provides a discussion of how the partners ensured that the freedom, choices and actions of both parties are cast in a seemingly mutually beneficial manner. It also discusses how the two parties, especially the AU, employs various strategies to navigate issues of soft coercion, forum shopping and other power dynamics.