Smaller EU nations push for greater Africa role

FROM Finland opening diplomatic outposts in Senegal to Czech instructors training Mauritanian security forces, a group of smaller European nations has joined a global scramble for influence in Africa.

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Estonia, Romania and Malta are among EU countries that have sought to boost their presence on the continent over the past five years, revamping diplomatic and trade links.

"There is a wave of second-generation Africa policy refreshes completed and... under way," said Alex Vines of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

"It shows the growing importance of Africa across the EU including for its smaller member states."

Africa has emerged as a renewed diplomatic battleground in recent years, with China, the US and Russia competing for its minerals, energy potential and political support.

The EU styles itself as the continent's “leading partner” in areas ranging from trade to security, a role it will try to reinforce at a summit with the AU in Angola today and tomorrow.

Yet it has suffered setbacks at times, fuelled by resentment at the West's colonial past, with China securing strategic resources in some countries and Russia taking over as preferred security partner in others.