Brazil and Africa in the Nineties: Diversification to Selectivity

Abstract

The intention of this paper is to discuss Brazil’s relations with African states –with particular reference to the Southern African region and, in particular, South Africa- during the nineties. The purpose is to show the descent of Brazil’s African policy profile and how, in response to changes in the priorities of Brazilian foreign policy and changes in the African situation, there is atransition from a «general African politics» to a «selective africanism”. The so-called «afropessimism» has spread both in Brazilian diplomacy as in business men, leading to very selective options in the African continent.