Brazil and the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS): An analysis of the evolution of Brazilian diplomatic and defence relations in the South Atlantic (1986 – 2013)

Abstract

This thesis is a study of Brazil and the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS) and the evolution of Brazilian diplomatic and defence relations in the South Atlantic region (1986 – 2013). The ZOPACAS was established on the 27th October 1986 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and its founding Declaration, A/Res/41/11, which designated the geographic area of the South Atlantic as a zone of peace. The ZOPACAS currently has twenty-four member states, situated on both sides of the South Atlantic Ocean. Three member states are situated in South America and twenty-one in Africa. This thesis uses a triangulation methodology to analyse a combination of documents from the Brazilian Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty) archives, the United Nations Digital Library, as well as five semi- structured elite interviews conducted with current and former senior Brazilian diplomatic and defence personnel. This research shows that while Brazil’s membership of the ZOPACAS has aided in its strengthening of ties with fellow member states, in particular Argentina, Namibia and South Africa, Brazil predominantly uses its membership as a means to further its own interests, both on a regional and international level. This is demonstrated to have been the case since the establishment of this zone of peace by the UNGA in 1986, and has continued up until the present day. Brazil has positioned itself as the leading member of the ZOPACAS to instigate ministerial meetings, to gain advantages at the United Nations, expand its diplomatic presence in Africa, and increase its Navy’s cooperation with those of other member states, such as South Africa and Namibia. In terms of current and future considerations, this thesis maintains that the Brazilian Navy is responsible for the recent resurgent efforts behind a “new revitalisation” of the ZOPACAS, which not only has the aim of gaining greater traction in the Gulf of Guinea but also to try and protect Brazil’s interests in the face of China’s growing presence in the South Atlantic region.

Date of Award	1 Sept 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	King's College London
Supervisor	Vinicius De Carvalho (Supervisor), Rafael Antonio Duarte Villa (Supervisor) & Anthony Pereira (Supervisor)