Brasil e os países da Costa Oeste Africana e a segurança marítima no Atlântico Sul: Ações conjuntas entre o Brasil, Angola, Namíbia e África do Sul em prol da segurança marítima no Atlântico Sul

Abstract

The South Atlantic is an ocean of paramount importance to the bordering countries, constituting the eastern coasts of South America and West Africa. In economic terms, it isa source of energy resources such as oil and natural gas and source of food, from fishing. In political and strategic terms, it is the main wayof export andimport of the vast majority of them bordering countries, maritime tradepathfor the rest of the world, therefore. This vast blue region common to two continents which once have been physically united, requires attention and a special concern of States "riparian" with regard to environmental, legal and defense and securityquestions. This work is guided on the latter question, precisely on maritime security in the South Atlantic. To this end, it is performed in a chapter, a theoretical exam on the subject at the international level and in the context of Brazil and three southern and neighboring African states: Angola, Namibia and South Africa.This limitation is due to the existence of the large number of states on the west coast of the continent, 22 in total. The examination also includesthe international institutions that deal directly theme -International Maritime Organisation and International Maritime Bureau-,by the conventions subject to the IMO and the concept of Good Order at Sea presented by Geoffrey Till on “Seapower: A Guide for the twenty -first century”. The Brazil’sinterests of political, economic and strategicnature for the South Atlantic are raised in another chapter, where they are checked: the importance of the Atlantic resources; theprogress of delimitation of the continental shelf; and the policies and strategies adopted in relation to the Brazilian strategic surroundings. This way,the forums, agreements and military operations involving the four States, in whole or in part,are identified and assessed. At this point the projection of Brazil towards Africaisobserved, aimingthe increase of maritime security, among other things, notably Angola and Namibia, without giving up, however, the good relationship it has held with South Africa. However, it emphasizes the presence of global powers in the region such as: USA, with its military might; the United Kingdom, with its "string of pearls"; and China with its "neo-colonialism". Finally, the author concludes with an evaluation of the joint actions carried out by Brazil, Angola, Namibia and South Africa on maritime security in the South Atlantic.