In Mozambique and Angola, Dilma will show that affinities with Brazil go beyond history

The visit of President Dilma Rousseff to Mozambique and Angola (between October 18 and 20) is intended to be a demonstration of the fact that Brazil and the two African countries have more in common than a past of Portuguese colonization. Since the independence of Angola and Mozambique, the three countries have put in place development targets, along with economic, commercial and social partnerships.

Mozambique is expected to be one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Brazilians and Mozambicans have several joint projects.The principal one is a mining complex at Miatize, in northern Mozambique, developed by Vale, which is investing $6 billion to produce 12 million tons of coal per year.According to the Foreign Ministry, Mozambique is currently the largest recipient of Brazilian cooperation, having received approximately $70 million.There are investments in health, including the manufacture of antiretroviral drugs, education, agriculture and vocational training.Trade between the two countries increased from $25 million in 2010 to $60 million in the first half of this year.

In Maputo, Dilma will participate in tributes to former president Samora Machel (1975-1986), who led the war of independence and became the first president of Mozambique. Talks with president, Armando Guebuza, are scheduled, as well as meetings with Mozambican and Brazilian entrepreneurs.

In Angola, Dilma will certainly point out that Brazil was the first country to recognize its independence in November 1975, and that Brazil supported the Angolans during the Cold War (1945-1991), when the United States and the former Soviet Union both tried to exert influence in the country.

Currently, Angola is going through a delicate political phase. The government of president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in power since 1979, has been criticized by the opposition, which accuses him of political manipulation and disregard for democracy. The Brazilian government has avoided involvement with the country’s internal issues and sought to highlight the positive aspects of the bilateral relationship: the growth in economic and trade partnerships.

Between 2002 and 2008, bilateral trade grew more than 20 times. The largest Brazilian investments in Angola are concentrated in the areas of construction, energy and mineral exploration. The Angolans are among the main beneficiaries of credit lines from the Export Guarantee Fund run by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).
Brazilian exports are concentrated in meat, sugar, machinery and mechanical instruments. During the visit technical cooperation agreements will be signed setting up partnerships to combat drug trafficking, development of research in geology and creation of Social Security programs.

In Luanda, president Dilma will pay tribute to Agostinho Neto (1975-1979), the first president of Angola after its independence. Unfortunately, for 27 years after independence (1975 to 2002), Angola went through a civil war that claimed over 500,000 lives. Landmines left over from the terrible war still maim and kill mainly children.