Africa and the European Union

Latest news about Africa and the European Union

Africa and the EU

EU approves EUR 5.0 bn financial aid package to Egypt — 14 November 2012, 19:10 CET

The European Union has approved a 5.0 billion euro financial aid package to Egypt after its economy was battered by a 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, the EU and Egypt said on Wednesday.

Ashton probes Mali solutions during Algiers visit — 06 November 2012, 19:37 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton visited Algiers on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in neighbouring Mali, on the second leg of a regional tour to press European concerns about security in the Sahel country.

Experts meet on 'inevitable' Mali military intervention — 30 October 2012, 16:01 CET

International experts met in Bamako on Tuesday to firm up plans for an armed intervention to wrest northern Mali from the hands of Islamic radicals, which are to be presented to the UN at the end of November.

EU working to create 'credible' army in crisis-hit Mali — 26 October 2012, 22:37 CET

The European Union is working to establish a credible army in Mali, where radical Islamists took control of the north after a military coup, the EU commission president said Friday.

Clinton headed for Algeria, Balkans next week — 25 October 2012, 10:25 CET

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Algeria next week to discuss the Mali crisis before joining EU diplomatic chief Catherine Ashton in the Balkans, officials said Wednesday.

Germany ready to train Mali forces, not send combat troops — 23 October 2012, 16:55 CET

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday pledged to support efforts to stabilise Mali, where armed Islamists have seized control of the north, but ruled out sending combat troops.

European prisoners in Morocco 'on hunger strike' — 22 October 2012, 23:32 CET

Dozens of European prisoners in Morocco, many of whom also have Moroccan nationality, announced the start of a hunger strike on Monday to draw attention to the poor conditions in which they are being held.

Simple stove brings safety, income for Darfur women — 19 October 2012, 13:16 CET

Collecting firewood for cooking puts women in Sudan's conflict-plagued and impoverished Darfur region at risk of rape.

EU to help reconquer north Mali from armed Islamists — 19 October 2012, 13:15 CET

European Union leaders on Friday vowed to help Mali reconquer its vast desert north from armed rebels and Islamists by backing up an international military force and training Malian defence forces.

Darfur needs security, EU says as peacekeeper killed — 17 October 2012, 19:50 CET

Security is necessary for development in Sudan's impoverished Darfur, EU envoys said on Wednesday, as a peacekeeper's death near a flashpoint North Darfur village emphasised concerns over recent unrest.

EU greenlights military back-up for Mali — 15 October 2012, 19:33 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday approved moves to "urgently" plan for a possible military mission to help Mali reconquer its vast arid north from rebels and Islamist extremists.

EU eyes military role in Mali — 11 October 2012, 21:53 CET

The EU is working on plans to help Mali's army oust rebels and Islamic extremists controlling the country's north, including the dispatch of 150 trainers, according to EU sources and a draft document obtained by AFP Thursday.

EU calls for 'urgent action' as Prodi takes on Sahel issue — 10 October 2012, 16:42 CET

The EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called Wednesday for "urgent action" in the Sahel as she welcomed the nomination of former Italian premier Romano Prodi as UN special envoy to the region.

Abu Hamza: Hook-handed radical preacher faces US extradition — 05 October 2012, 17:32 CET

With his hooked hand and distinctive appearance, radical preacher Abu Hamza has the highest profile of the five men set to be extradited to the United States to face terror charges.

British judge freezes Abu Hamza extradition — 26 September 2012, 22:11 CET

A British judge on Wednesday halted the extradition of Abu Hamza to the United States on terror charges after the radical Islamist preacher lodged a last-ditch legal appeal.

Radical cleric Abu Hamza in new British extradition appeal — 26 September 2012, 15:40 CET

Radical Islamist Abu Hamza launched a last-minute legal appeal Wednesday in a British court against extradition to the US, after a European court ruled he could be handed over, an official said.

EU looks at Mali request for help — 25 September 2012, 17:03 CET

The EU is reviewing a request for help from Mali which wants international military intervention against Islamic rebels who have seized control of the north of the country, an EU official said Tuesday.

BBC apologises to queen over Abu Hamza story — 25 September 2012, 17:05 CET

The BBC apologised to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II Tuesday after revealing that she raised concerns with a previous government about radical cleric Abu Hamza, who faces extradition to the United States.

Radical cleric Abu Hamza set for extradition to US — 26 September 2012, 00:05 CET

Britain on Tuesday prepared to hand over radical Muslim preacher Abu Hamza to the United States on terrorism charges after the European Court of Human Rights rejected his final appeal.

Abu Hamza extradition to US backed by Europe rights court — 24 September 2012, 22:22 CET

Britain vowed Monday to hand over radical Muslim preacher Abu Hamza to the United States on terrorism charges as soon as possible after the European Court of Human Rights rejected his final appeal.

EU, France sign EUR 940m metro deal with Egypt — 23 September 2012, 22:30 CET

The European Union and France have signed a 940 million euro agreement with the Egyptian government to fund the construction of a new metro extension, the EU mission in Cairo said in a statement on Sunday.

South Africa urges breakthrough in EU trade talks — 18 September 2012, 18:02 CET

South African President Jacob Zuma urged EU leaders Tuesday to break a deadlock in talks on an Economic Partnership Agreement with the 15 nations of the Southern African Development Community.

EU offers Egypt's Morsi EUR 1bn aid and better trade — 13 September 2012, 17:24 CET

EU leaders offered Egypt more than a billion euros in aid and better trade terms as President Mohamed Morsi flew in for his first visit to Europe.

Egypt's Morsi repeats that Assad must step down — 13 September 2012, 12:28 CET

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi reiterated during a visit to the EU on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down as "a president that kills his own people is not acceptable."

Sharp drop in boat migrants to Italy — 12 September 2012, 18:51 CET

Italy has seen a drastic reduction in the number of immigrants washing up on its shores, in part thanks to a deal with North African countries to prevent boat departures, the government said Wednesday.