Brussels (Belgium), 21 May 2025 (SPS) – The third Ministerial Meeting between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) concluded yesterday with a joint communiqué reaffirming key principles that align with the aspirations of peoples still deprived of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence, foremost among them the Sahrawi people.
In a global context marked by geopolitical upheavals, the foreign ministers of both Unions praised the depth of their strategic partnership, founded on “shared values, mutual respect, and common interests.” The communiqué underscored the importance of a respectful and just cooperation, in harmony with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which, as is well known, calls for the end of colonialism on the African continent.
The statement emphasized the renewed commitment to a “Joint Vision for 2030,” adopted at the Brussels Summit in 2022, which remains centered on the principles of justice, peace, sustainability, and inclusive development.
The ministers agreed to strengthen the monitoring mechanisms for this vision, including conducting a systematic review of the commitments during the upcoming EU-AU Summit, set to take place in Africa later this year, marking 25 years of partnership since the Cairo Summit in 2000.
The clear reference to Agenda 2063 and the 2022 Brussels Declaration — which includes commitments to peace, fair governance, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter — provides a legitimate foundation for the claims of peoples still awaiting the completion of decolonization processes, including the Sahrawi people.
For advocates of the Sahrawi cause, this diplomatic language resonates as an implicit call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Western Sahara conflict, one based on international law and upholding the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
By consolidating a partnership that places the rights of peoples at its core, the communiqué marks a new step in the international support for a fair settlement of conflicts in Africa.
The message is clear: the EU-AU partnership cannot be sustainable unless it is built upon peace, justice, and respect for the fundamental rights of peoples. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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