66 IPRIS Viewpoints

JULY 2011

Angola’s new focus on Africa rewards the relationship with

VASCO MARTINS Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS)

Angola’s renewed reentrance into the African political touches on several domains, mainly security and de- scene appears to be moving forward without any fense, transportation, energy and water, tourism, trade substantial obstacles. Having announced in Nigeria its and fisheries, besides all the approved frameworks laid intention of embarking on a new phase by developing down by SADC. Angola is also an important destination and solidifying relations with African countries, Angolan for Namibian exports, accounting for roughly 10% of the diplomacy was quick enough to match its words with country’s total exports, the third largest behind South Af- deeds, seizing the opportunity of Namibian President rica (31%) and the United Kingdom (16%).2 However, not Lucas Pohamba’s trip to the United Kingdom to schedule only trade deals and sector specific cooperation define a brief meeting with Angolan President José Eduardo dos these countries’ relationship. Both Angola and Namibia Santos, after being received by Foreign Minister George experienced colonialism and occupation, which led to the Chicoty. The event itself is not worthy of spectacular emergence of independence movements during roughly regional focus, considering both countries are neighbors, the same decade. Both countries’ parties in power, the both political parties in power are seen as allies and both MPLA and SWAPO, began their struggle for indepen- hold membership in common international organizations. dence in the 1960s, against Portuguese and South Afri- Yet, in the logic of escaping and diversifying the China, can colonialism and occupation respectively. Strategical- EU and US axis of foreign policy inclination – an intention ly, during the war, an alliance between these two parties revealed at Goodluck Jonathan’s swearing in ceremony in made absolute sense, as the MPLA was fighting UNITA Nigeria1 – Angola’s focus on Namibia comes to reinforce who had the express support of , SWAPO’s its convergence on the African continent. enemy, besides an overall sharing of similar ideologi- Even though no agreements were expected to result from cal positions and approaches to the ‘struggle’. However, this visit, both countries already collaborate on a wide tactically, SWAPO was ‘forced’ to befriend UNITA, since range of issues. Bilateral cooperation between the two the former was attempting to establish a northern front

1  Vasco Martins, “Angola reopening the African window” (IPRIS Lusophone 2  “Angola is Namibia’s number three export destination” (Trade Mark Southern Countries Bulletin, No. 19, May 2011), pp. 1-2. Africa, 19 July 2010). IPRIS Viewpoints Angola’s new focus on Africa rewards the relationship with Namibia | 2

of escape routes and supply lines in southern Angola, form of potential new collaborations – Angola’s diploma- which in the late 1970s was mainly controlled by UNITA. cy seems to be engaged in a sort of pinpoint exercise in Eventually SWAPO was forced to completely shift its po- order to map the African countries with whom relations sition towards the MPLA and as a consequence engage are good – which coincide with those countries who sup- in limited skirmishes with ported the MPLA govern- UNITA, although there is ment during the civil war, evidence to suggest many The relationship between Angola although this analysis is of these confrontations no longer valid in such a were not the result of and Namibia still has much simple and linear fash- ideological conflict per se, ion – having in Namibia a but spurred by the wish to for expansion. Even though supportive neighbor and control water resources in a dedicated former ally. the dry Kalahari Desert. politically and historically With this new foreign pol- Ironically, Namibia’s in- both countries have enjoyed icy framework in mind, dependence and SWAPO’s much can happen eco- rule were brutally con- a positive relationship, in the nomically between An- nected with the Angolan gola and Namibia. Angola civil war, in what was economic and social spheres already has the 6th highest called the ‘linkage’ policy. GDP in the African con- UNITA, with the support of there are opportunities which tinent, which combined the Reagan administra- with Namibia’s diversified tion and under the Rea- could prove to be very fruitful. economy could potential- gan doctrine, managed With the redefinition of the ly create beneficial deals to link the withdrawal of between both countries, foreign forces from Ango- scope and geography of Angolan if the resources are allo- lan territory (Cubans and cated and if private inves- Russians) with the inde- foreign policy intervention, tors are willing to engage pendence of Namibia by in such an endeavor. Fur- having South Africa also both countries have manifested thermore, due to the fact withdraw its forces from that Namibia’s economy that territory, thus cutting goodwill and desire to work is intrinsically connected support to UNITA (who al- closer. Using this close to South Africa’s, any ready had the backing of tripartite developments the US). In a political move collaboration to develop the could come to enhance which left both the MPLA cooperation not only be- and UNITA devoid of major regional economic integration tween the three countries official foreign assistance, but also in the wider re- SWAPO and Namibia won process – a policy supported by gion in general. their independence. Nev- The juridical instruments ertheless, as the tables both countries – is rewarding are already in place, al- turned for UNITA after the enough to prove that Angola though specific reforms failure of the Bicesse and are somewhat needed. Lusaka Accords, SWAPO made the right decision in Namibia and South Af- continued to recognize rica are both members the MPLA government, a refocusing and investing in the of SACU – the Southern policy which culminated African Customs Union. in the celebration of a mu- African continent. Recently, a senior Namib- tual defense pact between ian politician hinted at the Angola and Namibia in 1999, further isolating and alien- possibility of Angola and Mozambique joining the SACU, ating UNITA. hence establishing a much wider free trade bloc in the Still, there was little Namibia could do to help Angola SADC region – itself a beneficial point of convergence be- in its post-war national reconstruction program. Devoid tween Angola and Namibia – sharing common external of the necessary funds, Namibia – like all African coun- tariffs, and consequently working to upgrade regional eco- tries – was put aside in Angola’s privileged relationships, nomic integration in Southern Africa. Socially, there are which leaned mainly towards China. More recently, af- loose strings in need of attachment between both coun- ter revealing its intentions to turn back to Africa – in the tries. Due to the long , roughly 30.000 ref- IPRIS Viewpoints Angola’s new focus on Africa rewards the relationship with Namibia | 3

ugees escaped to Namibia, of which approximately 8.650 still remain in the country. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees “Namib- ia recognizes that local integration will be the most ap- propriate solution for many Angolan refugees, who have been in the country since 1992”.3 Nevertheless, linking economic development between both countries in a free trade area – where people and capital roam freely – would smooth the edges of social reintegration, perhaps even creating conditions for many of these refugees to return to their country of origin. The relationship between Angola and Namibia still has much for expansion. Even though politically and historically both countries have enjoyed a positive relationship, in the economic and social spheres there are opportunities which could prove to be very fruitful. With the redefinition of the scope and geography of Angolan foreign policy intervention, both countries have manifested goodwill and desire to work closer. Using this close collaboration to develop the regional economic integration process – a policy supported by both countries – is rewarding enough to prove that Angola made the right decision in refocusing and investing in the African continent. Once again, Angola’s foreign policy vision is creating ways of further enhancing its political and economic position in African affairs and in the southern African region.

3  “UNHRC Global Appeal 2011” (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2011).

Editor | Paulo Gorjão assistant editorS | Laura Tereno • Vasco Martins DESIGN | Atelier Teresa Cardoso Bastos

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IPRIS Viewpoints is a publication of IPRIS. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IPRIS.