Finland

Abstract

In Finland’s Africa Strategy, approved by the Finnish government in 2021, not only is new emphasis being given to a whole continent, but cooperation is also being developed on the basis of equal partnership, rather than seeing Africa as a passive receiver of aid. Finland’s strategy underscores the contention that peace and security in Africa can help safeguard security in Europe. As such, Finland is actively working on the entire continent to promote peace and enhance security. At the continental level, the AU Mediation Support project remains Finland’s flagship programme in its cooperation with African peace and security actors. Moreover, the country is supporting regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa, based on their specific needs and Finland’s capacity to help. In addition to its peace and security-related priority countries/areas (the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, Libya and increasingly Mozambique), Finland has strategies for development cooperation for MENA, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, as well as individual country strategies, all of which are underpinned by peace and security considerations