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Lula Urges Defense Cooperation During Ramaphosa’s Brazil State Visit

Defense ministers were scheduled to begin work on a cooperation pact during talks focused on reviving trade.

Both Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa have been critical of the war waged by the United States and Israel in the Middle East
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has urged his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to boost defence co-operation. Picture: The Presidency.

Overview

  • President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Brasília for a two‑day state visit on 9–10 March at President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s invitation, reaffirming a 2010 strategic partnership.
  • In a joint appearance, Lula warned that without stronger defenses "one day someone will invade us" and pushed for joint development and local production of arms.
  • The countries’ defense ministers were due to meet on Monday to work on a cooperation agreement, signaling a heightened security dimension to the visit.
  • Ramaphosa addressed a South Africa–Brazil business forum and urged an increase in the number of companies operating between the two markets to spur trade and investment.
  • Officials cited 2025 bilateral trade of R32.5 billion, pointed to the SACU–MERCOSUR PTA to expand market access, and highlighted targeted cooperation in agribusiness, aerospace, energy, mining, science and technology, sport and tourism.