Like several prior summits, one of the proclaimed goals of the recent gathering in Brussels was to “lay the foundations for a renewed and deeper partnership” between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).
Initially, I thought that this time there was a real chance for the long-standing and often repeated calls from African partners for more equality and joint agency to finally be recognised. Prior to – and during – the summit, much had been spoken and written about the urgency of making “it” happen this time – the pressing of the reset button and the start of partnering on an equal footing.
