In a recent discussion with Italy’s “Libero” newspaper, former Italian Interior Minister, Marco Minniti has underlined the strategic significance of Libya in achieving stability in Africa. With a new global system on the horizon, Minniti emphasised the need to divide tasks to avoid global instability.
According to Minniti, “Europe has a significant responsibility in taking care of Africa. However, the EU must acknowledge this, most importantly, without wasting any time.”
He further commended the recent memorandum on immigration, which effectively regulates relations with the EU in terms of migrant flows, and energy. “This agreement represents a significant stride towards Tunisia’s stability, marking a political decision which does not consider the stringent measures of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cut social spending, thus making assistance to Kais Saied conditional,” he said.
Minniti also clarified that human rights in the EU will not be overlooked. He urged states to remember the symbolic significance of democracy, born after the Arab Spring. For both Italy and Europe, this memorandum “signifies a path towards achieving stability in Africa. The game does not end here. Instead, there will be a need to consider Libya, Egypt, and Niger, which are significant in the Sahel region for migrant flows and Islamic terrorism.”
The former minister also pointed out that “Europe needs someone within the EU to pave the way, to assist Africa, and not merely for managing migration flows. Europe stands at a crossroads between the Western and the Southern Hemispheres, bearing this burden while ensnared by bureaucracy. There is no time to wait for the results of the next continental elections.” He urged Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni to “accelerate the course she is taking, and lead the way without waiting for the results of the European elections.”
Minniti believes that Meloni could play a role similar to Angela Merkel. During the Syrian refugee crisis, the German Chancellor took the initiative in agreeing with Turkey to stop the flows for €3 billion euros, which was later doubled. Europe, constantly at risk of finding itself in a humanitarian vice, followed suit. He added that “not only can Georgia Meloni play Merkel’s role, but she must break the African deadlock and stabilize regions, tackling the issue of ‘secondary movements.’ This challenge is fundamental for the fate of the West itself.”