Citing his “political, moral and historical obligation,” Brazil’s former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited five Southern African countries in November 2004. The trip was seen as a token of how important South-South relations would be for the Lula administration. “Brazilian society was built on the work, the sweat, and the blood of Africans,” said Lula, in a reference to the 4 million-plus slaves shipped from Africa to Brazil between the 16th and 18th centuries.
That rapprochement sparked trade between Brazil and the continent to unprecedented levels — from just USD 6 billion in 2003 to USD 28 billion in 2011.
Brazil served as inspiration for many Africans, not only for its culture and football achievements, but for its success in ending hunger, tackling inequality, and reducing poverty. However, this did not last. Brazil’s interest in Africa waned after Lula left office, though his successor Dilma Rousseff pardoned almost USD 900 million in debts of 12 African nations with Brazil. After her impeachment, however, Africa became less than an afterthought for the country.
After taking over from the ousted Ms. Rousseff, President Michel Temer tried to close 11 of Brazil’s 37 embassies in Africa. And his Foreign Minister José Serra famously failed to name all the BRICS member states, forgetting South Africa.
Since President Jair Bolsonaro came to power, the role of Africa in Brazil’s diplomacy has dwindled even further. However, this is not exactly unprecedented. For the 60 years or so after the abolition of slavery, Brazil essentially had no relations with Africa, despite having the largest afro-descendent population in the world.
A history of distancing
To this day, African influence on Brazil is present in its food, language, music, and culture. Notwithstanding, Africa is often reduced to stereotypes of underdeveloped failed states run by corrupt autocrats. In recent years, there has been an increase in xenophobia against new African immigrants, as seen in the new Netflix movie “Shine Your Eyes” — about the Nigerian community in downtown São Paulo.
Mr. Bolsonaro, for instance, has expressed openly racist sentiments in regards to the continent. Take this remark from a 2018 interview: “What debt of slavery? I never enslaved...
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