Lula travels to Egypt, Ethiopia to bolster Brazil's ties with Africa
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will visit Egypt and Ethiopia from February 14 to 18 to enhance Brazil's international agenda with African countries. The aim is to broaden partnerships through a shared pro-Global South agenda.
The term "Global South" refers to economically disadvantaged or emerging countries, primarily situated in the southern hemisphere of the planet.
Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that President Lula is expected to address several topics during his trip, including the fight against inequality and hunger, the energy transition, climate change, reform of international institutions, and the expansion of trade between Brazil and African countries.
Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte, the Brazilian ministry's secretary for Africa and the Middle East, highlighted the alignment between Brazil's international agenda and the priorities of African countries.
"The greater participation of developing countries in the decisions of international organizations is an important aspiration, not only for Brazil, but also for African nations and developing countries in general, as Africans represent a significant body of voices and votes," says Duarte.
At the global level, Brazil is advocating for reforms in international banks, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, as well as in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to increase the representation of Global South countries in these institutions.
Duarte added that this trip is more politically oriented and reflects the priorities President Lula has set for Brazilian foreign policy.
"These visits, which will certainly be successful, seek to reinforce key elements of Brazilian foreign policy, particularly regarding reinsertion and direct participation in addressing international environmental and economic issues. They also emphasize Africa as a priority, a continent that is still relatively little explored from an economic point of view, but has strong ties with Brazil," he said.
Gaza
The ambassador noted that President Lula will also discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip during his visits to Egypt and Ethiopia, where he will advocate for a viable solution for the State of Palestine.
“The talks Lula will have with both heads of state in private on this matter will certainly address elements such as the ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the conditions leading to a solution," he said.
Egypt
Ethiopia, like Egypt, is among the countries that recently joined BRICS, a bloc that includes emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The purpose of the trip is to strengthen ties between the two nations.
President Lula is scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on February 15. There are also plans for a potential visit to the Arab League, an organization of Arab countries headquartered in Cairo.
While this trip is primarily focused on political matters, discussions will also cover the potential expansion of Brazil's agricultural exports to Egypt. Secretary Duarte explained that the goal is to persuade Egypt to accept a wider range of certifications for Brazilian slaughterhouses, thus enhancing trade between the two countries.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, President Lula will engage in bilateral meetings with local authorities and participate as a guest in the Assembly of the African Union, an organization that represents the approximately 50 states of the continent and is headquartered in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
According to Duarte, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry sees this invitation as "recognition of the priority that President [Lula] has placed on his foreign policy concerning Africa, as well as the alignment between African and Brazilian agendas."
In addition to President Lula, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to attend the assembly as guests. Lula is scheduled to meet with both on February 17 and 18.
The Brazilian ambassador highlighted that the assembly will be an opportunity for the president to have direct contact with other African Union heads of state. According to him, Lula should emphasize in his speech "the alignment [between the international agendas of Brazil and African countries] and the opportunities for cooperation."
