From 27-29 March 2026, Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC) participated in the High-Level Annual Consultative Meeting, themed “EU and Africa Relations,” held in Cape Town, South Africa.

The three-day event convened policymakers, political advisors, and research practitioners from Europe and Africa to examine evolving partnership priorities between the two regions following the 7th African Union-European Union Summit held in Angola in 2025. The event was organized by Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) in partnership with Africa Think Tank Dialogue (ATD), Foundation Jean Jaurès, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and Olof Palme International Center.

MRPC was represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Brig. (Rtd) Dr Robert Kabage, who delivered a high-level presentation titled “EU-AU Peace and Security Architecture: Gaps, Lessons, and Policy Recommendations from Kenya’s perspectives” during Session 6, which examined the evolving international security architecture, including issues related to United Nations Security Council reform and commitments under the UN Charter.

In his presentation, Dr Kabage identified four structural gaps within the EU-AU peace and security framework, to include: operational dependence, fragmented governance, limited community alignment, and strategic misalignment. These factors continue to shape implementation constraints and underscore the importance of evidence-based approaches to strengthening national, regional and international security policy frameworks.

MRPC reaffirmed the value of sustained policy dialogue between European and African partners, particularly in strengthening security foresight, anticipatory governance, and collaborative approaches to sustainable peacebuilding.