From Cairo to Luanda: A 25-Year Parliamentary Reflections of AU-EU Relations

As leaders prepare to convene in Luanda for the 7th AU-EU Summit, marking the 25th anniversary of the partnership, the relationship stands at a pivotal, yet increasingly complex juncture.

This Policy Brief, “From Cairo to Luanda: A 25-Year Parliamentary Stocktake of AU-EU Relations“ authored by Iliana Olivié, Daniele Fattibene, Jeggan Grey Johnson (OSF), and Ibrahima Kane (OSF). provides key findings and strategic recommendations derived from a high-level inter-parliamentary session held at the Pan-African Parliament.

The analysis argues that the partnership must move beyond historical patterns and symbolic gatherings toward a genuine, equitable relationship. It assesses persistent challenges and opportunities in four key areas:

• Geopolitical shifts and the need for a ‘partnership of equals’.
• Reframing peace and security cooperation around equity and conflict prevention.
• Ensuring the Global Gateway moves from extraction to genuine local prosperity, especially regarding Critical Raw Materials (CRMs).
• Addressing human capital, mobility, and the debt crisis as interconnected priorities.

The brief emphasizes the crucial role of the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament in providing oversight and ensuring high-level commitments translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

This publication is the result of a partnership with the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and stems from an event co-organized by ETTG, OSF, the Pan-African Parliament, the European Parliament, and the Centre for Human Rights.

Other contributors: Dr. Theophilus Acheampong, Dr. Julian Bergmann, Dr. Deprose Muchena, Dr. Benedikt Erforth, Elisabeth Hege, Dr. Ibrahima Kane, Claire Kumar, and Sakhile Phiri.