In a bid to strengthen peace and security in Africa, the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has proposed a fundamental reorientation of the security partnership between Africa and the European Union.
Kalu made the proposal at a meeting with Ms. Ingeborg Ter Laak and Mr. Benjamin Oppermann on the sidelines of his series of engagements at the European Union (EU) Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday.
LaaK is a member of European Parliament as well as Vice Chair of the Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and of the Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly while Oppermann is Policy Adviser in the European People’s Party Political Group on Foreign Affairs (AFET Committee) and Security and Defence (SEDE Committee).
Kalu emphasized the need for an African-led, EU-supported framework, where the EU acts as a strategic enabler rather than a direct military intervenor.
The Deputy Speaker who is leading as a delegation of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) noted that the prevailing model of direct European military intervention has proven unsustainable and largely ineffective.
He said: “The prevailing model of direct European military intervention has proven unsustainable and largely ineffective. The G5 Sahel initiative and the broader EU Sahel Strategy (2015-2020) have failed to contain extremist groups in the region, often lacking local ownership and being perceived as neocolonial, ultimately leading to rejection by local populations”.
Kalu however proposed that the EU should focus on strengthening African institutions, rather than creating parallel structures.
The Deputy Speaker also identified several key areas for collaboration between Africa and the European Union.
They included strengthening African institutions through enhanced financial support, such as the ECOWAS Standby Force and Logistics Base, and the AU Peace Fund Enhancement; developing joint financial instruments, such as blended finance mechanisms to de-risk European investment in Africa; promoting trade and investment framework reform, including modernizing trade agreements and protecting intellectual property rights.
He said: “We propose a fundamental reorientation toward an African-led, EU supported framework where the EU acts as a strategic enabler rather than ‘boots on ground’; European nations sell, not just donate, necessary kinetic equipment including Italian UAVs and German Eurofighter Typhoon jets for effective counter-terrorism operations; focus shifts to strengthening African institutions rather than creating parallel structures.
“Key areas for collaboration include srengthening African Institutions through Enhanced Financial Support (EDF).
“The PAP Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs would like to collaborate with EU Parliament committees to ensure sustained funding for the ECOWAS Standby Force
“Current challenges include the need for accelerated operationalisation, with the EU having committed significant support through the 10th EDF
“Joint parliamentary oversight is needed to ensure effective implementation and accountability.
“The EU has provided over €3.5 billion through the African Peace Facility since 2004, with an additional €600 million approved for 2022-2024 under the European Peace Facility.
“Parliamentary cooperation should focus on creating sustainable financing mechanisms that reduce reliance on external funding
“The PAP’s Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs should work with EU counterparts to develop innovative financing instruments, support for the AU naval base in Douala, Cameroon; recognition of Nigeria’s strategic sealift services agreement with the AU and joint parliamentary oversight of these continental security assets”.
Kalu also emphasized the need for parliamentary institutional strengthening, including enhanced inter-parliamentary cooperation mechanisms, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
“We propose the establishment of regular joint committee meetings between the Pan-African Parliament’s Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs and relevant EU Parliament committees,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also outlined several specific proposals for immediate action.
The proposals include rhe establishment of quarterly joint meetings between the PAP Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs and EU Parliament committees, and the creation of joint fact-finding missions to assess the effectiveness of EU-funded African security operations.
