In June, the President of Brazil is invited to participate in a new summit devoted to tropical forests in Brazzaville. Lula is currently working on a continental mini-tour.
Last November, he appeared like a rock star: Brazilian President Lula, barely elected, went to Egypt, on the occasion of the 2022 Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference (COP 27). And he had been very well received, a bit like the messiah. It must be said that after the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, environmentalists around the world were happy to see the largest country in Latin America emerging from its isolation. With, in sight, the end of deforestation and fires in the Amazon.
For African leaders, it was also the fact of seeing an ally again which had given rise to beautiful accolades. Because Lula and Africa, it's a great love story. The Brazilian president, during his first two terms between 2003 and 2011, visited around thirty African countries, with more than ten continental tours.
With, each time, a strong speech aimed at Africans, which contrasts with the words of the West. In July 2010, for example, he launched: “We will never be able to pay, nor measure in money, our historic debt towards Africa. Everything we are, we owe it to the interbreeding of the Brazilian people”.
A tour that will pass through South Africa
Lula's return therefore represents a positive signal for Africa. In terms of diplomatic relations, the economy, but also the fight against global warming. The leaders of the Congo Basin felt very alone, with the climatosceptic Bolsonaro. From now on, they have an ally and the presidents of the countries hosting the two lungs of the planet will be able to move forward together.
On the environment, it will also be a question from next summer. According to Africa Intelligence, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva should indeed go to the Republic of Congo, to meet Denis Sassou N'Guesso. The latter, after the One Forest Summit in Libreville which took place on March 1 and 2, is also preparing a summit on equatorial forests.
The absence of Lula in Gabon has been much commented on. And, inevitably, for "DSN", if the Brazilian president went to his own summit in Congo, it would be a great victory. In mid-June, Brazzaville intends in any case to welcome the South American head of state. Because Sassou N'Guesso wants to bring together the leaders of the three tropical forest basins in the world: Congo, Amazonia and Borneo-Mekong.
Congolese Environment Minister Arlette Soudan-Nonault has been instructed by the Congolese President to travel to Brazil with an invitation for Lula. And this one could be accepted. Because Lula is preparing an African tour for his part, which would take him through the Congo, therefore, but also through South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.