Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, is prepared to reveal her comprehensive strategy for Italy’s involvement in Africa in an effort to establish her nation as a leader in European collaboration with the African continent, in exchange for reducing illegal immigration.
The Mattei plan, named after Enrico Mattei who founded Eni, an oil company, will be announced in Rome on Monday to leaders from Africa and Europe. This includes Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.
In October 2022, Meloni introduced her Africa strategy shortly after her far-right administration assumed control. The primary objective was to convert Italy into a prominent energy center, as Europe was reducing its dependence on Russian gas.
Although there is limited information about the overall extent of the plan, a preliminary decree that was passed in November outlines Italy’s intention to assist African nations in various areas, such as education, healthcare, exports, and infrastructure, in a non-exploitative manner according to Meloni’s description.
Meloni’s main focus in assisting African economies to thrive is preventing the migration of people from Africa, a promise she has not yet kept.
The initiative is so crucial to Meloni that her office will be responsible for implementing the plan. She went against the norm by holding the summit at Palazzo Madama, the location of the Italian senate, which was met with criticism from opposing parties who accused her of taking control of the building.
“I fail to understand the issue,” stated Lucio Malan, the head of the senate’s majority party, in an interview with the Guardian. “It’s a matter of honor and will not interfere with the senators’ duties. The fact that such a significant event is being held in the senate, a historic palace adorned with art and rich in history, will showcase the beauty of Italy.”
According to Malan, Italy has long recognized the strategic significance of the African continent. He pointed out that Tunisia is actually closer to Sicily than Sicily is to Rome. The plan also aims to boost Italy’s influence in a continent where other countries, such as Russia and Turkey, have already made considerable progress.
23 African nations and organizations will be represented at the summit, with Moussa Faki, the head of the African Union Commission, also in attendance. Meloni was deceived into thinking she was participating in a prank call set up by two Russian comedians in November.
Francesco Galietti, the creator of Policy Sonar, a company that offers political advice in Rome, stated: “Meloni has been working towards organizing this meeting for quite a while. She is promoting it as a significant strategy, which is why it is receiving a lot of interest. However, there are still uncertainties regarding who will participate, the amount of funding it will receive, and whether it will primarily focus on diplomacy and soft power or involve more.”
Source: theguardian.com
