African-Brazilian Navy Ties Boosted By South Atlantic Peace Zone: Navy Officer

The South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS) treaty has significantly strengthened Brazil's cooperation with the countries of the African coast, Brazil's Navy Reserve Captain Francisco Eduardo Neves Novellino, who holds a master's degree in naval sciences, told Sputnik.

According to Novellino, after the pandemic, ZOPACAS activities returned to full capacity after being dormant for some time.

As an example, he cited the last annual exercise with Guinea, which also involved Cote d'Ivoire, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde, Cameroon and Nigeria. Argentina and Uruguay also took part.

"In these exercises, everything is simulated, such as the enemy or an emergency. Operations, on the other hand, may or may not involve simulated exercises. We can do a survey, go in a task force and inspect a ship. The Brazilian Navy also carries out naval missions in this cooperation, maintaining various forms of interaction with other naval forces," he explained.

All actions, Novellino emphasized, are always carried out in conjunction with the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the naval expert, Brazil must increasingly consider the South Atlantic as a field of interest and intensify its actions there.

"This is how the United States views the North Atlantic. It's not for nothing that it's the biggest leader in NATO. We don't want to create a new [entity], that's not necessary, but we need to strengthen ZOPACAS. Our problem and that of Africa, much more starkly than political and military, is economic. We have to develop this region," he noted.

Nevertheless, the reserve captain pointed out that Brazil already has a strong presence in the navies of African countries. Novellino gave the example of Brazil's active participation in Namibia, when the South American country was contracted in the Nineties to help build the Namibian navy.

"At that time, [Namibia] didn't have a navy. Today they have a commander, an admiral, a chief of staff, naval operations. What did Brazil do? We took an old corvette and gave it to them. The officers came here and were trained," he remarked.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Angola is 'Fundamental Gateway' in Brazil's Return to Africa, Lula Says

26 August 2023, 17:47

Training Navy Personnel

In addition to technological and strategic cooperation, Brazil supports the training of admirals and naval officers from African countries.

"Brazil is at present hosting an officer from Cameroon and another from Namibia, who are likely to be future commanders," Novellino added.

All of this will also help to secure the entire South Atlantic against pirates and traffickers, the expert stressed.

"Brazil has a unique tradition even in South America when it comes to the stability of institutions. Despite the fact that there have been several military interventions throughout republican history, it's not in the DNA of our officers. We always have this vision of promoting good neighborliness through the water. The Navy's vision is very professional. I believe that the officers who are trained here acquire this professional vision of acting and using naval power without worrying too much about politics," the captain explained.

Navy is a 'Floating Foreign Ministry'

Commander Robinson Farinazzo, a naval reserve officer, pointed out that the Brazilian fleet is seen as a "floating foreign ministry" since it expands Brazil's good relations with friendly countries, both in Africa and on other continents.

The expert also highlighted the work of Brazil's peacekeeping forces in the region, such as the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

"Regarding Africa, it's important to note that the continent has enormous economic potential. It already has a population in the billions and is a region rich in natural resources, offering a relevant consumer market for Brazilian exports. In addition, its geographical proximity makes Africa a natural destination for our business and commercial interests. We share concerns about security in the Atlantic and are active in the fight against piracy and other threats," he argued.

According to Farinazzo, the exchange of knowledge between institutions is also valuable, as it allows the acquisition of new strategies and professional improvement.

"For example, a member of the African Navy who is used to operating in his region brings specialized knowledge of local conditions and navigational procedures," he said.

All this has been further intensified since the creation of ZOPACAS, a zone that covers more than 20 percent of the Earth's surface and in which 24 countries participate, the expert added.