The European Union should show the same unity of purpose towards Africa as it has shown for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said.
In this vein, Brussels will work to develop a new strategic approach to the continent ahead of a future summit with the African Union.
"We must develop a mutually-beneficial partnership, and deal with issues that are equally in the interest of Europe and Africa," she said. "We will therefore develop a new strategic concept together with [EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep] Borrell, which we will present at the next EU-Africa Summit."
The head claimed that the EU needs to focus on cooperation with Africa's "legitimate governments and regional organizations," adding that the success of military coups in the Sahel will make the region more unstable for years to come.
In addition, the head of the European Commission claimed that there is Russian trace in the region.
"Russia is both influencing and benefiting from the chaos," von der Leyen alleged.
However, earlier, during the plenary session of the Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg in July, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that instability in many regions of Africa is a heavy legacy of the colonial era and the "divide and rule" policy pursued by Western metropolises on the continent.