African Perceptions of the European Union: Assessing the Work of the EU in the Field of Democracy Promotion and Peacekeeping

Report commissioned by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Stockholm, 2009

16 Pages Posted: 4 Jul 2012 Last revised: 29 Oct 2012

See all articles by Lorenzo Fioramonti

Lorenzo Fioramonti

University of Pretoria; Centre for Social Investment, University of Heidelberg; Hertie School of Governance; UNU Institute for Comparative Regional Integration Studies

Date Written: January 1, 2009

Abstract

In recent years, the relationship between the European Union and Africa has undergone significant changes at the political and the economic levels. Trade reforms have taken place, and peacekeeping cooperation and political dialogue have increased. The African continent has become a test bed to assess the EU’s ambitions as global player. Drawing on data on the African Union (AU), Kenya and South Africa, this paper provides a general overview of the thoughts of African political leaders and opinion formers on the EU’s peacekeeping and democracy promotion initiatives.

The EU is generally perceived as a progressive international player in the fields of peacekeeping and democracy promotion. Nonetheless, the failure of negotiations on an Economic Partnership Agreement is likely to affect the long-term credibility of the EU’s promotion of peace and democracy. Political conditionality, such as the human rights and democracy clauses included in trade agreements, might increasingly be disputed by African governments eager to exploit China’s competitive and ‘unconditional’ trade deals.

Keywords: European Union, external perceptions, peacekeeping, democracy building, Africa

Suggested Citation

Fioramonti, Lorenzo, African Perceptions of the European Union: Assessing the Work of the EU in the Field of Democracy Promotion and Peacekeeping (January 1, 2009). Report commissioned by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Stockholm, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2100508 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2100508

Lorenzo Fioramonti (Contact Author)

University of Pretoria ( email )

Physical Address Economic and Management Sciences
Pretoria, Gauteng 0002
South Africa
+27 (0)12 420 4066 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.up.ac.za

Centre for Social Investment, University of Heidelberg ( email )

Grabengasse 1
Heidelberg, 69117
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.csi.uni-hd.de/

Hertie School of Governance ( email )

Schlossplatz 1
Berlin, 10178
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.hertie-school.org

UNU Institute for Comparative Regional Integration Studies ( email )

Brugge
Belgium

HOME PAGE: http://www.cris.unu.edu

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