Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-29 15:52:42
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni kicked off a summit of African leaders on Monday with the aim of presenting Italy’s comprehensive development plan for the continent. The government hopes that this plan will help in curbing migration flows, diversifying energy sources, and fostering a new relationship between Europe and Africa.
The plan, however, received a tepid reception initially, with African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressing the sentiment that African countries would have preferred to be consulted before Italy unveiled its plan. Faki emphasized the need for tangible actions rather than mere promises that are not fulfilled.
The summit was attended by two dozen African leaders, top European Union and United Nations officials, and representatives from international lending institutions. Italy, long at the center of Europe’s migration debate, has been advocating for its development plan as a means to enhance security and economic conditions in Africa, ultimately leading to job creation and deterring dangerous migrations across the Mediterranean Sea.
In her opening speech, Meloni presented a series of pilot projects in individual countries that are expected to transform Africa into a major energy exporter to Europe, aiding in reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine. Meloni highlighted the importance of guaranteeing the right of younger generations to not be forced to emigrate, rather than just focusing on the right to emigrate.
The government’s plan, named after Enrico Mattei, founder of the state-controlled oil and gas giant Eni, seeks to expand cooperation with Africa in various sectors, including education, healthcare, water, sanitation, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Italy, once a colonial power in North Africa under fascism, hosted this significant summit at the Italian Senate, signaling the commitment of all Italian public institutions to the project. The summit included presentations by Italian ministers outlining different aspects of the plan, and a gala dinner hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella was held the night before.
Simultaneously, Italian green and opposition lawmakers organized a counter-conference at the lower chamber of parliament to critique the Mattei Plan as a neocolonial “empty box” aiming to exploit Africa’s natural resources once again.
In addition to the Mattei Plan, Meloni’s government has also struck controversial deals with individual countries to alleviate the migration burden on Italy, including an EU-backed deal with Tunisia and a bilateral deal with Albania. These deals focus on economic development projects, legal migration opportunities, and processing asylum applications for Italy-bound migrants rescued at sea.
Overall, the summit aimed to showcase Italy’s ambitions for Africa and generate consensus on its development plan while addressing concerns and criticisms from various quarters.
