A Relação Brasil-África no Atlântico Sul: A importância do fortalecimento do poder naval brasileiro na proteção dos interesses nacionais

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Brazil-Africa Relationship in the South Atlantic: The Importance of Strengthening Brazilian Naval Power in Protecting National Interests For Brazil, the South Atlantic has crucial strategic importance for the future of the Nation. Economically, it is a primary source of energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, in addition to being a storehouse of food resources from fishing. From a political and strategic point of view, this part of the Atlantic represents the main foreign trade route for most coastal countries. This region demands special vigilance and care on the part of these States, especially in relation to maintaining their sovereignty. Within the scope of the Maritime Strategy for the South Atlantic, Brazil has been adopting an assertive and pragmatic stance in relation to its Strategic Surroundings, with particular emphasis on the South Atlantic and the countries on the West African coast. This stance is observed in the National Defense Policy and the National Defense Strategy. Within this framework, the Brazilian Navy is a key player in complying with the guidelines for matters related to the sea. Thus, this paper aims to examine, based on a bibliographic and documentary study, the elements that give this part of the ocean a critical importance for the country. The paper then seeks to analyze how the relationship with African countries has evolved, using the national Naval Power to strengthen these ties. As a final result, it seeks to conclude that the strengthening and integrated action of the Brazilian Naval Power in the region are fundamental to establishing the political and military leadership desired by the country in the Brazil-Africa relationship in the South Atlantic, as well as protecting national interests and guaranteeing sovereignty in Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters.