Oxfam reaction to African Union-European Union meeting

Reacting to the African Union-European Union college-to-college meeting today in Addis Ababa, Oxfam International’s Deputy Director for Advocacy, Marissa Ryan, said:

“It is good news that Europe has begun developing prospects for a real and meaningful partnership with Africa. Ursula von der Leyen’s vision of a truly ‘geopolitical Commission’ must be grounded in European values and result in EU policies that actually work for people in Africa instead of making their situation worse.

“If labor, fiscal and social regulations are not strong enough, trade liberalization poses risks to local people and production systems. Trade relations should be designed in ways that allows local economies and businesses to thrive, not to create an enabling environment solely for foreign investment and imports.

“The involvement of civil society and women’s organisations at national and regional level is critical to ensure development initiatives are fit for purpose, have the support of local communities and leave no one behind.”