Introduction

This chapter examines the evolving dynamics of South– South cooperation (SSC), development and humanitarianism, offering a critical exploration of their promises, complexities and contradictions. Framed within the broader discourse of global development, the chapter examines how South– South initiatives have emerged as a distinctive approach, often positioned as an alternative to the traditional, North– South development paradigm. By focusing on the intersections of cooperation and humanitarianism, it distinguishes between these two domains of analysis while highlighting their interconnections in practice. SSC encompasses state-led and multilateral initiatives among countries in the Global South, rooted in the premise that shared historical experiences – often marked by colonialism and postcolonial struggles – equip these nations with unique perspectives and capacities to support one another. This solidarity-driven framework operates on the assumption that countries of the Global South are better placed than their Global North counterparts to foster equitable partnerships and address development challenges. We critically interrogate whether the ideals of solidarity and mutual benefit are fully realized in practice or if new forms of inequality and dependency are emerging within these partnerships.

To illuminate these dynamics, the chapter draws on case studies situated at the intersection of Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the experiences of Brazil, Cuba and Mozambique. These examples include Cuba's renowned medical training programmes, which have established an enduring legacy of healthcare diplomacy, and Brazil's agricultural development projects in Mozambique, which reflect its ambitions as a rising power in the Global South.