Humanitarian intervention is always controversial, especially if it involves the use of repressive measures, be it through military means or sanctions. The human security approach undoubtedly provides an interesting blueprint for the EU to improve coherence in its external action, as it is...

Despite acknowledging the need for nurturing democracy from within, democracy assistance programmes have often been carried out in a top-down fashion. By starting from the limits of democracy assistance, this article outlines the notion of micro-assistance to democracy, which can be defined as...

This study has three objectives: a) to provide an overview over the current migration policies of the AU as well as of selected RECs, in particular the EAC, the ECOWAS and the SADC; b) to develop a set of criteria and recommendations to further develop and improve these policies and their...

Over two years after the fall of Lehman Brothers, the financial and economic crises have taken a heavy tool on public welfare, wiping out the positive effects of decades of nonprofit work. Unlike other sectors, international finance thrives not only due to poor governmental oversight mechanisms,...

Multilateralism sits high on the European foreign policy agenda and constitutes a founding principle of the EU's integration process. Yet, a comparative analysis of key missions and diplomatic initiatives in the field of crisis management reveals lights and shadows in the much-heralded ‘choice...

For several decades, Europe entertained a preferential relationship with its former colonies in Africa, which translated into a set of trade and development preferences. With the progressive diffusion of market liberalization, this preferential relationship came to be called into question. This...

In recent years, the relationship between the European Union and Africa has undergone significant changes at the political and the economic levels. Trade reforms have taken place, and peacekeeping cooperation and political dialogue have increased. The African continent has become a test bed to...

In recent years, the relationship between European and African countries has experienced significant changes in terms of policies and main actors involved. At the trade and development level, the Cotonou regime has put an end to the 25-year preferential agreement sealed through the Lomé...