Brazil and China Interests in Atlantic Africa

Convergences, Divergences and Opportunities for Cooperation Inside the BRICS Forum Framework

Abstract

Brazil and China have strategic interests in the West African countries. Of these two countries, China has increased influence in the region, both in the economic and in the military issues. In this context, some questions arise: How could the presence of China in the western portion of the African continent interfere with Brazilian interests in this region? As Brazil and China's trade relations with Africa grow, will the possibility of disputes arise between these two current BRICS partners? Could the participation of Brazil and China in the BRICS group contribute to aligning these interests and, if possible, minimize some future disputes? Thus, the article aims to identify whether a forum such as the BRICS, can contribute to aligning the objectives and interests of its constituent States or minimize the divergences arising from conflicting objectives and interests, particularly in the Atlantic portion of Africa. In order to achieve this objective, the article is divided into three sections. Firstly, it identifies the current strategic interests of Brazil and China in the Atlantic portion of the African continent. Secondly, it presents an analysis of the present and potential conflict of interests of these two States related to Atlantic Africa. The third section focuses on BRICS, seeking to identify how its vocation for dialogue and consensus-building may be useful to minimize these potential conflicting interests and even institutionalize an arbitration center for its members.

Keywords: Atlantic Africa. BRICS. Brazil. China.