EU-US cooperation : vital relationship in combatting poverty, disease and conflict in Africa

Abstract

Cooperation between the EU and the US is vital in helping Africa fight poverty and communicable diseases such as AIDS/HIV, while promoting regional stability and ending regional conflicts. This dissertation focuses on programs already in place, and what commitments do the EU and US have in the Africa continent. Particular attention will he given to the causes and effects of the spread of AIDS and other disease such as tuberculosis and malaria, as well as the cause and effects of conflicts; and what is being done to prevent the spread of disease and to stop armed conflict. The EU and US constantly help war-ravaged countries in Africa with humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions, however it has been proven over and over again that this is not enough to bring stability to the continent. Ever since the independence of most African countries from European colonialism, very few countries, particularly the sub-Saharan countries, have enjoyed any political stability at all. Most of the population are in severe poverty, and disease has ravaged many nations, with some of the countries losing up to a third of its population to A JDS. Ethnic conflicts and genocide are rampant, and the masses of refugees cause major problems to neighbouring countries.