Tajani: “The Mattei Plan is a strategic priority. Terrorist acts in Nigeria are unacceptable” (Avvenire)

Standing alongside Africa - a priority continent undergoing profound transformation - is the position of the Italian Government. This was reaffirmed at the start of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to Addis Ababa to review two years of the Mattei Plan, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.

Minister Tajani, how are Italy-Africa relations evolving, also in light of the "Mattei Plan"? What trade and cooperation objectives have been achieved?

Relations with Africa represent an important strategic priority for the Italian Government. We want to do more and do it better, according to an equal-partnership approach, not a neo-colonial one and grounded in mutual interest. The Mattei Plan embodies a strategy based on these principles: practical cooperation and constant political dialogue. The goal is to finance - with an initial allocation of EUR 5.5 billion - projects that respond to concrete needs identified together with African partners. I am thinking, for example, of participation in the development of the Lobito Corridor and innovative projects aimed at transforming African agricultural systems. This Italian vision will also be the driving force behind the Italy-Africa Summit that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend in Addis Ababa this weekend.

In Sudan, more than one thousand days of civil war have now passed, largely due to external interference. How is the "Italy for Sudan" humanitarian aid operation progressing, and how can our country respond to this extremely serious crisis?

Far too little is said about the conflict in Sudan, which is causing the gravest humanitarian crisis in the world. Through the "Italy for Sudan" assistance programme, Italy is seeking to play its part: on 25 December, a first shipment of 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid was delivered for 2,500 students attending schools run by the parish of Port Sudan and serving the children of displaced families. Further aid consignments are already scheduled, including one that will reach Sudan by sea before Easter. This tangible commitment - still too small compared with the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe - is accompanied by a political and diplomatic effort aimed at securing a ceasefire and a definitive, inclusive political solution.

In Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, terrorist attacks against civilians continue and insecurity is widespread. Avvenire has recently documented persecution of Christian farmers by jihadists and, above all, a certain indifference on the part of the authorities. What does Italy intend to do to help Nigeria?

Systematic attacks against Nigeria's civilian population, and in particular against the Christian community, are unacceptable. The Government has repeatedly called on the Nigerian authorities to guarantee the safety of Christians, who face the daily risk of attacks and violence.

Alongside bilateral action, we are also active in multilateral fora: freedom of religion is a "pillar of authentic reconciliation", as Pope Leo has underlined. In Africa, defending this right means preventing radicalisation, thereby protecting civilians and contributing to a country's stability.

The Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly unstable. In Somalia and Ethiopia, which are grappling with serious internal tensions, what will Italy do to foster dialogue?

The stability of the Horn of Africa has always been a priority for Italy, not least because it is a strategic region for the entire continent. Our commitment is visible: I am thinking, for instance, of our contributions to the African Union stabilisation mission in Somalia. At the end of the week, the second Italy-Africa Summit will be held in Addis Ababa: it is no coincidence that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be on mission to reaffirm this commitment and our equal-partnership approach.

What is your assessment of the Sahel, where Italy - despite tensions and the anti-French positions of military juntas - has remained engaged?

It is probably the continent's hottest theatre, at least from a security standpoint. Even in recent days we have seen signs of a very dangerous negative evolution. It is clear that increased instability in the region directly affects the security of North Africa and the Mediterranean, and therefore of Italy and Europe. Our political line is simple: if instability grows, costs rise for everyone; if institutions and economic opportunities are strengthened, space for criminal networks and destabilising actors is reduced. That is why in the Sahel we support projects that combine security and development: capacity-building, development cooperation and support for the local private sector. Italy is present, as I was able to see first-hand during my mission to Mauritania, Senegal and Niger together with Minister Piantedosi. We are working towards a meeting in Rome with the region's foreign ministers to share our assessments and understand how to join forces against a jihadist drift that can only concern Africa and Europe alike. We will do our part.

Former UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi stated that Italy has not cut funding for refugees. Do you confirm this commitment? And might the humanitarian corridors agreed by the Government with the Italian Bishops' Conference be expanded?

Not only have we not reduced funding for displaced persons and refugees, we have increased it, also boosting our contribution to UNHCR and financing projects worth EUR 55 million in 2025, in continuity with 2024, when EUR 42 million had been allocated. In the face of growing complex crises, Italy's commitment therefore continues - and not only in Africa: we are thinking of Syrian and Palestinian communities, Afghanistan, the Venezuelan crisis and the Rohingya minority. Supporting the many vulnerable, displaced and refugee populations forced to flee wars is an absolute priority for me and for the Government, with the aim of fostering stability and resilience in local communities. We also continue to promote regular migration pathways, including to counter human traffickers. Political realism is required: mass irregular migration cannot be halted unless action is taken upstream, addressing its root causes. We have created a model - the humanitarian corridors - which has enabled vulnerable groups to reach safety. These corridors are all the more essential in the current context and remain a priority of our humanitarian and migration policy. We will continue to support them in cooperation with the Italian Bishops' Conference and other civil-society organisations.