From structural challenges to new ambitions

Given its hybrid status, both as a developing country and emerging economy, African State and BRICS member South Africa is at a crossroads in debates over the future of the EU’s strategic partnerships and the renegotiation of the Cotonou agreements. Analysing the evolution of interactions between the EU and South Africa over the last thirty years is fuelling the debate at two levels, thanks to a field study gathering South African and European views. On the one hand, this study questions the concept of “strategic partnership” – looking at what such a partnership means in theory and in practice. On the other hand, it investigates how challenges encountered in South Africa can shed a different light on the future of EU partnerships with the so-called “more advanced” ACP countries. Indeed, many ACP countries possess characteristics similar to South Africa (slow growth, inequalities, regional economic hegemony and national political fragility), assert their autonomy and are interested in collaborating with the EU. However, this interest will only come if the collaboration differs not only from competing offers, but also from the outdated “donor-recipient” scheme, in order to lead to a more subtle and pragmatic relationship.