Foreign policy - Baerbock: Stabilize West Africa for security in Europe
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will expand cooperation with democracies in West Africa to prevent instability from spreading beyond the Sahel region. "The security and future prospects of this region are closely linked to our own security and our own development," said the Green politician during a visit to Senegal. "The problems and challenges of the region, terror, migration, organized crime, poverty, affect us directly in Europe."
"If more countries in West Africa tip over into instability, it has not only dramatic consequences for the people there, but also direct implications for our security in Europe," warned Baerbock. Conflicts between Islamists and the military in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are seen as time bombs. More than three million people have fled there – approximately four out of five currently in their home countries. Terrorists are increasingly threatening the previously stable coastal states as well.
Baerbock: No business as usual in the Sahel
Minister Baerbock does not harbor illusions about the unstable situation in the Sahel, she said after a conversation with her Senegalese counterpart Yacine Fall. The putschists in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have set their countries back economically, politically, and in their relations with Germany. "We cannot simply carry on as if nothing has happened," emphasized Baerbock.
At the same time, it is clear that the Sahel lies in the immediate vicinity of Germany and Europe. "We are not packing up all our tents, but we are acting pragmatically within the remaining room for maneuver," said the Federal Foreign Minister and added: "Given all the crises that are currently keeping us busy, we know that Europe's opportunities and challenges are inextricably linked with those of Africa."
The region threatens to split after military coups
Minister Baerbock is visiting Senegal and the Ivory Coast, two of the most important European partners in West Africa, at a time when the region is threatening to split. The landlocked states in the Sahel zone, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, are turning away from Europe and towards Russia after military coups. The coastal states, on the other hand, are still interested in cooperation.
At the same time, Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) is organizing a meeting of the so-called Sahel Alliance in Berlin, a donor association that supports the states in the region. Germany, which currently holds the presidency, is the fourth largest donor behind the World Bank, France, and the EU.
Democracies should work more closely together
In the afternoon, Baerbock met the newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is considered a key figure for stabilization efforts in the region. Senegal, with a population of around 18 million, is one of the most stable democracies in Africa. The country has never experienced a violent conflict since gaining independence from France in 1960.
"The Senegalese and Senegalese have made it clear to everyone that they have successfully initiated a political transition within the democratic system," said Baerbock. "Everywhere where we as democracies, where we as Europe do not invest, others invest who then create dependencies that could potentially be used against us and our security interests." It is no coincidence that China and Russia are making huge investments on the African continent.
Electro-Fast Bus System against Dakar's environmental problems
Annalena Baerbock was shown the Electric Rapid Bus Transit (BRT) system, Bus Rapid Transit, in Dakar in March. The system began operation in May and was financed by the European Investment Bank and the World Bank. The system aims to help reduce the environmental problems of the city and save the metropolis from traffic collapse. The population in the Dakar metropolitan area has increased from about 400,000 residents in the past 50 years to currently approximately four million.
With German expertise and the European "Global Gateway" initiative, we are contributing to Senegal's green transformation and helping people in their daily lives. "We see that there is enormous potential here, especially in terms of infrastructure development, and this also applies to German companies," Baerbock emphasized.
The EU's "Global Gateway" initiative plans to invest up to 300 billion Euros in the infrastructure of developing and emerging countries over the next few years - also to secure more global influence for the EU.
- Annalena Baerbock aims to strengthen cooperations with democracies in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, located in West Africa, to prevent instability from escalating beyond the Sahel region.
- Baerbock expressed concerns about the potential implications of instability in West African countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger on Europe's security and development.
- The Minister highlighted the significant challenges faced by West Africa, including terrorism, organized crime, poverty, and migration, which directly affect Europe.
- Conflicts between Islamists and the military in these countries pose a significant threat, and Baerbock warned that instability in these lands could have catastrophic effects on the people affected and on Europe's security.
- Baerbock acknowledged the need for an active German foreign policy in responding to the challenges in Africa, especially considering the area's proximity to Europe.
- She acknowledged that while the Sahel region faces significant instability, it is still within Germany and Europe's scope to act pragmatically and address the challenges through diplomacy.
- The German foreign minister underlined the strong relations between Germany and Senegal, one of its key European partners in West Africa, while also emphasizing the necessity to work together with other democracies in the region.
- The French-speaking nation of Senegal, which enjoys remarkable political stability, plays a crucial role in regional stabilization efforts, according to Baerbock.
- The World Bank ranks Germany as the fourth-largest donor in the Sahel region, after the World Bank, France, and the EU, highlighting Germany's commitment to supporting the region's challenges.
- Baerbock emphasized the importance of democracies working together to influence global relationships and investments in Africa, to avoid creating dependencies that could potentially harm European security interests.
- Russia's growing presence in Africa through substantial investments poses a significant challenge to European influence in the region, which Germany and other democracies must navigate as part of their foreign policy.
