carry heavy loads forward
For Meloni’s plan to work and attract the necessary firepower, expertise and resources, it will need buy-in from the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who may need Meloni’s support to secure a second term after June’s EU general elections, has decided not to attend the Rome summit. Admitted. But France and Italy have traditionally competed for influence in Africa, so Meloni’s new initiative will spark conflict in the Sahel, with Goretti saying Italy doesn’t have the resources or expertise to win. he said.
Meloni also emphasized the need for an approach that is neither predatory nor patronizing, and treats African countries as partners rather than charities. But opposition lawmaker Quartapelle said he did not see the plan, which is based on energy investments that would put Italy in conflict with the EU’s carbon and net zero targets, as a major departure from past practice. Meloni said Italy would fund the plan by diverting 70% of the 4 billion euro climate fund it has pledged to help developing countries with their green transition.
Another concern is that Meloni’s warning that Europe will lose its historically patronizing approach could lead to less focus on human rights, adding to her overall “can-do” outlook. This could end up legitimizing a dictatorial regime.
Last year, for example, Meloni advocated for an agreement between the European Commission and Tunisia, hailing it as a model to be emulated across Africa. But the deal with Tunisia stalled amid opposition to the transfer of funds to Tunisia’s increasingly authoritarian leader. Subsequently, arrivals from that country increased. This is not the only recent experience in Europe where an authoritarian leader has used immigration as leverage (i.e. Turkey). According to Goretti, to have a positive impact, the EU needs to not only meet with regional leaders but above all address human rights and human rights issues. civil society.
So far, African civil society and environmental groups appear unconvinced. Joab Okanda, senior climate adviser at Christian Aid in Africa, said he hoped the Rome summit would “help Italy and its state-backed fossil fuel companies finally recognize the damage they are causing Africa.” I look forward to it.”
“It is time for Africa to move away from the European fossil fuel-driven strategic vision disguised as an African development project and mobilize political commitment to put Africa on a path to self-sufficiency and sustainable prosperity.” said Okanda.
Mr. Meloni enjoys majority support and is expected to remain in power for another three years, an unusual move in Italian politics, and is unlikely to suffer serious domestic opposition to his plans. But execution will be another issue. She has asked ministries for ideas, but her oversight remains focused on her office rather than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And while energy and commercial trade are easier to manage in the short term, they are much more difficult to develop.
On the other hand, even if his plan has some success, it is unlikely to reduce immigration in the short term, and voters, who tend to have less patience for long-term strategies, will likely see Meloni’s may lose confidence in its bold plans for Africa.