Cuban official praises fraternal and cooperation ties with Africa

HAVANA, Cuba, May 15 (ACN) On the days leading up to the celebration of Africa Day on May 25, Déborah Rivas Saavedra, Cuban deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Investment praised the bonds that unite that continent with Cuba, marked by milestones such as the arrival in Algeria in 1963 of the island’s first medical brigade and its support to the nationalist guerrilla for the liberation of Guinea Bissau from Portuguese colonialism, to Ethiopia against the Somali invasion, and to Angola and Namibia against apartheid and for independence.

The official also stressed that Cuba has 39 diplomatic offices in Africa and is accredited as a permanent observer at the African Union (AU), whereas Cuba hosts 28 embassies, which ensures a sound political dialogue and exchanges in areas of interest.

“We are always grateful for Africa’s support against the U.S. blockade, and therefore we offered our hand to African peoples who also suffer the effects of unilateral coercive measures,” she underscored.

On their end, ambassadors Maria Candida Pereira Teixeira (Angola) and Vincent Mutomb Tshibal (Democratic Republic of Congo) commended Cuba’s solidarity with their countries, support to their sovereignty, and cooperation in health care and other fields.

Every May 25, Africa Day is observed every year on May 25—the day when the African Union was created 61 years ago—to extol the so-called black continent’s socioeconomic progress, traditions and contributions to humanity.