Background to G8 Africa Programme
In 2002, the G8 adopted the Africa Action Plan, pledging concrete support for the aims of the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development). The first chapter of the Action Plan deals with promoting peace and security.
The subsequent G8 Summits further specified these obligations. At Heiligendamm in 2007, the G8 renewed its commitment to continue and consolidate projects already begun. One new cooperation aspect was identified, i.e. the reinforcement of a civilian component (including police capacities) of the African Standby Force.
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Construction of a police station in Liberia
(© Federal Foreign Office)
Other major G8 commitments include efforts towards improved police training in Africa and additional projects in the related fields of peace and security, good governance and the creation of institutional capacities (such as, improved donor coordination, effective support for African partners in the fight against cross-border crime, and cooperation with all players in combating the illegal exploitation of natural resources).
These commitments are to be implemented together with the G8 partners at the level of the African Union (AU), the sub-regional organizations and individual countries. In this regard, initiatives from Africa and from African implementation organizations are to be given priority support ("by Africans for Africans"). This support is to be closely aligned with the NEPAD and the APRM (African Peer Review Mechanism).
Here it is essential to take up and, where possible, strengthen existing political impetus. The German government does not wait for conflicts to break out before providing support.On the contrary, it is working on improving structures which can prevent conflicts or which enable Africa in particular to solve them itself.
Source: Federal Foreign Office
