Global power has been in a process of re-balancing and with that shift challenges to the post-1989 order have been mounting. The war in Ukraine acts as a caesura, compelling Europe to confront the uncomfortable reality that the post-1989 order was both a function of Western power and its principles far from universal.

By trying to rally Africa to its side in confronting Russia, Europe unintentionally created a litmus test for the post-1989 order standing in Africa. Many in Africa did not perceive Russia’s action as a challenge to a global order that it felt mutual ownership of.

As Europe grapples with its role in the emerging global order, there is a new opportunity to forge a strategic relationship between Africa and Europe. To do that, Europe needs to engage with Africa’s views on the post-1989 order and where Africa situates itself going forward. Where Europe signaled openness to Africa’s view before, the fundamental re-assessment of Europe’s assumption of global order occasioned by the Ukraine war creates a new openness and indeed an opportunity for Africa and Europe to forge a new consensus.

What needs to happen for Africa to buy-in to a new emerging global order? How can that new consensus be built? In which areas of the relationship? How can they be defined?