Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-27 11:29:24
The Italian government will host the Africa summit on the 28th and 29th of January. Over 50 delegations, mainly from African countries, as well as EU leaders and representatives of international organizations, will gather in the Italian capital for this highly anticipated event. The conference aims to present Italy’s strategic plan to revamp its approach to the African continent.
The plan, dubbed the “Mattei Plan” after Enrico Mattei, an Italian public administrator who advocated for Italy to support North African governments in the 1950s, has been unveiled by Italian premiere, Giorgia Meloni. The plan is a “non-predatory” approach intended to foster cooperation with African countries. It is expected to cost around 3 million euros per year and have a four-year duration, focusing on enhancing energy cooperation and providing support in areas such as health, education, and other sectors, with the main goal of addressing the root economic causes of mass migration from Africa.
However, some critics argue that the plan lacks a clear strategy and is not comprehensive. Giampaolo Silvestri, Secretary General of the Fondazione AVSI, expressed the need for the action plan to prioritize Africa’s needs, employ a “bottom-up approach,” and have a long-term vision rather than just addressing emergencies.
Giorgia Meloni aims to position Italy as a vital link between Africa and Europe. With Italy’s G7 presidency this year, the country aims to make African development a central theme to enhance its influence on the continent. Energy cooperation is a prominent focus of the Mattei Plan, largely driven by migration concerns. Italy’s involvement in the Sahel and North Africa, as well as its efforts to cooperate on migration, have faced challenges. The plan also intends to address push factors and persuade origin countries to sign readmittance deals for migrants refused permission to stay in Italy.
Despite the focus on energy and migration, concerns have been raised about Italy’s limited experience and close relations with Mediterranean countries compared to sub-Saharan African countries, which are crucial to the success of the Mattei Plan.
Overall, the Mattei Plan presents an opportunity for Italy to renew its approach to Africa, but its success will depend on addressing the lack of a clear strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability, and building closer ties with sub-Saharan African countries.
