La sûreté maritime dans l'Atlantique Sud : La Zone de Paix et de Coopération de l’Atlantique Sud (ZOPACAS), un outil stratégique pour faire face aux défis du XXIe siècle

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS) as a regional security complex (RSC) and, consequently, as a useful mechanism for the collective security of the countries in the region, particularly regarding maritime security, a fundamental issue for the South Atlantic. The aim is to analyze and understand the South Atlantic from a geopolitical point of view, through its history throughout the 20th century, based on the contribution of Hervé Coutau-Bégarie, as well as its current situation and future prospects. The second objective is to present the origins and foundations of ZOPACAS, which involves understanding this mechanism under the aegis of international relations theory, delving into security theory to arrive at the concept of the regional security complex developed by Barry Buzan. Finally, in the third chapter, we explore in greater depth the understanding of maritime security and its legitimacy as a collective security issue, the reason for a multilateral and collaborative approach within ZOPACAS and among the actors present in the region. In addition, several suggestions are made at the end, with a view to contributing to the debate on the subject, which is still in its embryonic stages, mainly in French, and to improving ZOPACAS as a multilateral mechanism.