The new South-South alliance

September 28, 2009 by Eva Rodriguez-Saenz 

Developing countries are looking to each other for cooperation, leadership

South American and African leaders met over the weekend to discuss the emergence of a new era of corporation and partnerships. The emerging South-South alliance has become a catchphrase with grave implications for current American international policy.

The developing world seeks to become relevant on the world stage through stronger economic and political alliances. President Barack Obama, during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, clearly stated that the world should not expect the U.S. government to bring salvation for the world’s needs.

Perhaps in arrogance, the historical oppression and exploitation by Western economies on the developing world was lost to Obama. It is not the world who seeks the U.S. – it is the U.S.’s own self-assertion as a superpower that puts the world’s needs on its shoulders.

It is apparent through the diplomatic inaction of at least the last four American
administrations that regional problems are of lesser concern.

Latin America has continuously sought out the U.S. as a regional leader because of its economic dominance but has been brushed off with insufficient economic aid, problematic trade agreements and poorly structured politics.

Enough is enough. As a response, many Latin American leaders are searching for alternatives.

The bottom line is that the developed world sets the agenda and their primary concerns are those of greater economic development, environmental changes and nuclear proliferation.

These are concerns that do affect the world. But how can they be the primary concerns of developing nations when entire populations are going hungry, diseases are wiping out households and internal corruption threatens the basic human rights of its citizens?

The inability of the developed world to understand the different needs of these nations leads many leaders to seek forums where mutual needs are shared.

The second South America-Africa Summit was the host for 20 African and Latin American leaders at the Caribbean island of Margarita. This summit brought together two regions whose interests are closely linked but remain unnoticed.

Unlike the less-than-welcoming reception some Latin American leaders received in New York, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was welcomed and allowed his traditional Bedouin-style tent to be raised without much controversy.

The summit hopes to spearhead trade accords that will aid the development of economies. Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, as a regional economic leader, sought to increment the trade channels between these nations. The geographic divide between the two regions is perhaps a lesser one than that which both share with the rest of the developed world.

The regions share historic ties and cultural similarities. Although it should be noted that cultural differences are still present as in much of the world and it is perhaps the woes of imperialism that unites these two regions.

The summit created an action plan to restructure the format of organizations such as the UN, G-20, G-8 and the World Bank that exclude developing world leadership. African and South American leaders are challenging the belief that only developed world leaders can properly address the needs of the world.

Paraguay’s president, Fernando Lugo, said, “Africa and Latin America are in the process of regaining their genuine independence and gaining representation in these organizations is of vast importance.”

We cannot exaggerate the gains by these nations. Even though it was announced this weekend that some developing countries like China, India and Brazil will have more of a say in international economic policies from now on, Western leadership will continue, at least in the near future, to be the relevant factor in world economies and diplomacy. It is an unfortunate truth.

The summit is significant because it underlines a social and political movement taking place in the developing world. Nations that are currently suffering the worst economic woes in recent history are no longer quietly waiting. Leaders are aggressively seeking solutions through trade.

For example, the Venezuelan leadership is hoping to begin talks and negotiations that will lead to stronger African ties through oil ventures.

Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez called for a South-South codependency through an exchange of technology from South America to African nations in exchange for goods.
It is too soon to make any statistical analysis on the advantages of such a partnership. However, the signs of ideological and political change should be of special interest to the U.S.

Perhaps, the days when the U.S. spoke for South America are finally coming to an end.
Today, Brazil leads the trade game: It does more trade with developing nations than Northern nations. Brazilian exports have increased dramatically and Da Silva continues to give buzz to the South-South trade idea. Brazilian billions are being invested in African nations, most notably in OPEC member countries like Angola, Nigeria and Algeria.

The significance of such regional competition, however quietly diplomatically it may be, is that the U.S. international policy is in need of change – it is losing ground in its own region.
South America’s relevance cannot continue to be measured by immigration, drugs, violence and oil.

If Chavez is truly perceived as a madman by much of Africa and Latin America, as many American diplomats and conservatives believe, then it cannot be denied that Da Silva is a well respected diplomat who shares a common goal with Chavez.

Even traditional American allies are carefully cementing their independent leadership in the region with the help of African allies.

Latin American countries will no longer be the U.S.’s puppets.