"Challenges in Forging AU-EU Relations and the Myth of Brexit as Imperial Nostalgia"

"Challenges in Forging AU-EU Relations and the Myth of Brexit as Imperial Nostalgia"

Introduction:
In recent years, the forging and implementation of a joint agenda between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) has faced numerous challenges. These challenges are rooted in differences in capacities, perceptions, and priorities. While the EU can effectively use this partnership to address internal problems like migration, implementation has been limited. Additionally, the EU's focus on exporting and promoting its values, including in their normative reach and content, has created tensions with the AU's focus on creating workable instruments at the continental level to consolidate integration.

The Challenges in Forging AU-EU Relations:
One of the major challenges in implementing joint policy frameworks between the AU and the EU is the limited compliance within AU member states. This is due to a lack of ratification and domestication of AU legal instruments, as well as adherence to AU policy frameworks. This lack of compliance hinders the effective implementation of joint actions.

Another challenge lies in the differences in frameworks related to governance and democracy. The AU has created normative institutions like the Pan-African Parliament, NEPAD, and the African Peer Review Mechanism to safeguard principles of democracy, governance, and the rule of law. However, these internal frameworks make it difficult for the EU and AU to fully agree on implementation mechanisms in this area.

Furthermore, the perception of what constitutes human rights differs between the AU and the EU, making it challenging to agree on a common agenda. While the EU focuses on exporting its values, the AU recognizes traditional values and emphasizes intra-African facilitation of labor mobility and protection of migrants and refugees.

Despite these challenges, the AU has demonstrated a willingness to address development and cooperation hindrances through the development of norms, standards, and principles. However, limited resources, lack of compliance, and accountability and inclusion issues pose significant obstacles to realizing the full potential of these institutions in Africa.

The Myth of Brexit as Imperial Nostalgia:
The Brexit vote has often been associated with imperial nostalgia, suggesting that it was driven by a longing for Britain's imperial past. However, this emphasis on imperial nostalgia as a core engine of the Leave vote has been overstated and should be approached with caution.

One reason to be wary of this narrative is that it pathologizes the Leave vote, reducing it to a psychological disorder rather than engaging with the arguments put forth by Leave voters. Such accounts also imply that only Leave voters are haunted by the ghosts of Empire, overlooking the complexities and motivations of those who voted Remain.

Additionally, it is essential to be cautious of arguments that align with our own political preferences. The notion of an "Anglosphere" gaining currency as an alternative to the actual empire is not new but has historically served as a futurist project. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid generalizing the myth of Brexit as solely driven by imperial nostalgia.

Actionable Advice:

1. Enhance Compliance: The AU should prioritize efforts to encourage member states' ratification and domestication of AU legal instruments and adherence to policy frameworks. This will strengthen the implementation of joint actions with the EU.

2. Bridge Perception Gaps: The AU and EU should engage in open and constructive dialogue to bridge the differences in perceptions of governance, democracy, and human rights. Finding common ground and understanding each other's perspectives is crucial for developing a shared agenda.

3. Invest in Human Capital: African countries must invest in their growing youth population to turn population growth into an opportunity for development. By providing education, skills training, and employment opportunities, African nations can harness the potential of their human capital.

Conclusion:
The challenges in forging and implementing a joint agenda between the AU and the EU are multifaceted, rooted in differences in capacities, perceptions, and priorities. However, by prioritizing compliance, bridging perception gaps, and investing in human capital, the AU and EU can overcome these challenges and strengthen their partnership. It is essential to move beyond the myth of Brexit as imperial nostalgia and engage with the complexities and motivations behind the vote. Only then can the AU and EU work together effectively to address internal problems and foster development and cooperation.