Scarica The EU's Role in Combating Irregularities and Supporting Democratic Transition in Gambia e più Schemi e mappe concettuali in PDF di Diritto Ed Organizzazione Internazionale solo su Docsity! ow far did the EU succeed in combating irregularities and helping the democratic transition in Gambia? In the years the European Union have become a long term development partner and larger donor to the Gambia providing financial, technical and infrastructural support even during the dictatorship years. In particular through the Cotonou Agreement, an agreement between the members of the group of African, Caraibi and Pacific States and the European Community on cooperation and development relations between these countries. But also the EU Development Fund which is the main aid instrument of the EU development cooperation providing voluntary financing by member states. It is also important to mention the EU-Gambia Country Strategy and National Indicative Program (2008-2013) that dedicated €76 million for Infrastructure, Governance, Budget Support, Capacity, Technical and Other. But during the years on the part of the Gambian government there was no coherent policy or program, all decisions were made by the dictator, following his instincts and head shots and not consulting the governments officials that took instructions and cues from him. So even the EU aid had be frozen most of all in response to the violations of the democratic rights, perpetuated mainly towards the population. In fact, since 1994, the power in the small African state was in the hands of Yahya Jammeh. The government has been characterized by human rights violations and laws that restricted freedom of expression and have increased over the years leading to a failed military coup in 2014. This lead to an intensification of violence but was also a key factor in organizing an opposition coalition and mobilizing the Gambians to demand a new leader. Following a period full of protests and repressions, on December 1, 2016, the populist opposition candidate, Barrow, wins with 45% of the vote. After an apparent acceptance of the outcome, two weeks later, Jammeh rejected the results and tries to repeat the elections almost leading the country to civil war. During this period is important also to underline that almost 50.000 Gambians have escaped to neighboring Senegal including the newly elected president Barrow, who return home only after Jammeh forced exile in Equatorial Guinea. This democratic turning point, which was periodically weakening Jammeh and even alienating his most faithful collaborators and followers, brought neighboring countries but also international players to act against him. When the new government office took place in January 2017, it began the process of formulating a development plan. As well as the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); also the EU has been engaged in supporting democratic transition, trying to ensure peace and effective democracy in the country through economic and Humanitarian support. In particular the EU has focused on the development priorities defined by the Gambian Government itself with “a package” of economic aid. The 11th European Development Fund (EDF) National Indicative Program (NIP) allocated €150 million for the 2017-2020 funding period (a €100 million top-up was approved by the Commission in January 2018). The focal sectors are: the agriculture to improve the economic growth and food security by increasing the agricultural productivity and diversification including the most vulnerable small farmers. But also create and work on crisis prevention strategies. Furthermore support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to sustain the transition, security and stabilization of the country and improve the rule of law and Human rights situation. Create jobs, in particular for youth and support small industries linked with agriculture and tourism sectors. Solve poverty related matters, in particular gender equality, HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, good governance and Human rights as well as nutrition and health. The other sticking point of ofthe Gambian bad government is the migration, in particular the illegal one. The new transitional development program seeks to reduce the rate of irregular migration (Gambia has one of the highest number) working with partners, above all the EU, trying to improve the situation. But also The Gambia National Development Plan (NDP 2018- 2021) define the strategic priorities concerning migration and asylum such as Managing Irregular Migration, Maintaining stability, development cooperation ( above all Italy and Germany which hosted the highest number of asylum seekers) and create employment opportunities. Moreover for what concern the only European move for Gambia’s migration and asylum, the Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP), traces the NDP on addressing the root causes of irregular migration, preventing and fighting for that, defining the legal migration routes and promoting protection, asylum and integration. Between 2016 and 2020 there were some EU actions in the Country focused on the aforementioned points such as the readmission of 170 Gambian migrants from Libya thanks to the EU-funded IOM program after only two months since the besiegement of the new government. On the contrary however it persists tension between the EU and Gambia regarding deportations, return and readmission. The Gambian government is hesitant on facilitating mass returns because of the difficulties on find employment that could cause economic problems risking unrest and instability in a country that have only recently found its precarious balance. The EU-Gambia cooperation face also a broad program of youth entrepreneurship support preventing irregular migration creating as the 2019 EUTF monitoring report indicated more than 2000 jobs. Moreover the wide financial contributions of the EU for conflict prevention, budget support, state building has led more security and stability in the country helping to reduce even here irregular movements and journeys. These types of aid, however, came also from the Member States such as Germany that has allocated €10 million, through the German Corporation for International Cooperation, in support of stability and sustainable development but also creating jobs especially for young people.
