Dinâmicas da política externa sul africana (1999-2024): as relações com Angola, Moçambique e Zimbabué e o impacto político na região da África Austral

Abstract

This work primarily analyzes the dynamics of South Africa's foreign policy between 1999 and 2024, focusing on bilateral relations with Angola, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. It explores how, since the end of Apartheid, South African foreign policy has been shaped by internal and external factors that influence its interactions within the African continent and impact the stability of Southern Africa. The research revisits South Africa's historical and political context, highlighting the transition from the apartheid regime to democracy and the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who promoted an Afrocentric foreign policy and cooperation with neighboring countries. This new approach marked a departure from the isolation imposed during the Apartheid era. Drawing on Neoclassical Realism, which considers how internal factors of states influence their foreign policy, the study examines how domestic issues and limitations in influence affect South Africa’s capacity for regional leadership. The research argues that, despite being frequently recognized as a regional power, South Africa faces significant challenges in consolidating this position due to internal obstacles and limitations in its policies with Angola, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. These countries, with their unique political and economic dynamics, represent both opportunities and challenges for South Africa’s projection of power. Methodologically, the research is based on bibliographic references, with an exploratory nature through the analysis of bibliographic sources, including books, academic journals, and scientific materials related to the topic, and through a hypothetico-deductive approach. This analysis highlights the complexities of South Africa's foreign policy and its trajectory of power projection, arguing that, although South Africa has adopted a cooperative policy and attempted to expand its regional influence, internal issues and persistent crises in neighboring countries hinder its consolidation as an uncontested leader in Southern Africa.