The Dark Continent is a land of contrasts–perhaps we should talk not of Africa but of Africas–and is attracting renewed attention. Its recurrent plagues–wars, refugees, famine, the AIDS and malaria pandemics–all sadly contribute to these contrasts. However, we should not let crises mask the genuine progress made in bringing stability to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or indeed the national dialogue in Togo and Mauritania. Similarly, in contrast to the discouraging concept of an ‘African exception’ in terms of development, some economies, such as those of Ghana and Botswana, have recorded encouraging expansion; above all South Africa, with its numerous economic, political and diplomatic advantages, is giving hope not only to the south of the continent but to Africa as a whole.

It is true that numerous crises persist and all too often overburden efforts to achieve good governance, while the quest for energy and mineral resources, as for commercial outlets, may stir up tensions. In these circumstances, the (legitimate) emergence of new players is not without impact on fragile regional balances. We have seen China become once more a major partner to the nations of Africa–as witness the first China-Africa summit–but there are also India, Iran, certain Arab countries and Israel.

For its part, faced with the challenges posed by Africa, France is demonstrating both its solidarity and its concern. It is faithful to a community of interest and compassion, to which the majority of our African partners are themselves closely attached. Our nation has also elected to frame its policy through a multinational approach, which aims to promote African capabilities, especially in the management and resolution of crises. France therefore endorses the Strategy for Africa adopted by the European Union in December 2005, whose approach aims to be both global and consistent where it associates security and development.

In terms of peace and security, this initiative can be seen in the development of a concept of European support for African capability in the fields of crisis prevention, management and resolution. It gives France the opportunity to share its cooperative activities, and particularly the Reinforcement of African Peacekeeping Capabilities (RECAMP) arrangement. In parallel, the European Union has resolutely committed itself to providing operational and financial support to the United Nations, as demonstrated by the support provided for the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and the EUFOR DR Congo deployment in the DRC.

These efforts have great merit but also reveal how far there is still to go. The Darfur crisis shows the pressing need to improve international cooperation, especially between the European Union and the African Union. In parallel one must also encourage further open, constructive dialogue on African matters amongst the countries of Europe. The consolidation of such a political foundation is fundamental to any progress on the numerous actions that remain to be undertaken if the European vision is to acquire any substance.

On the basis of an in-depth dialogue with its European partners, undertaken in a spirit of mutual humility and openness, France must play a leading role in ensuring collective security for Africa. It has a duty to measure up to this great challenge.♦