WINDHOEK, Namibia - More than 11,000 kilometers separate Havana from Windhoek, but the close ties of brotherhood between the peoples of Cuba and Namibia have overcome the barriers of geographic distance for decades. Beyond indestructible historical and cultural ties forged for centuries, Cubans and Namibians contributed with their blood to the just cause for independence in the African lands with their struggle against the apartheid regime.
This invaluable common heritage between both nations was masterfully synthesized by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz, in his speech delivered at the farewell act of mourning to our fallen internationalists during the fulfillment of honorable military and civilian missions, held in El Cacahual, on December 7, 1989: "We also had the honor of fighting alongside the brave sons of Namibia (...) There was no just cause in Africa that did not have the support of our people".
Since then, our special ties have been cemented on the basis of the legacy of the sincere friendship between Fidel Castro and Sam Nujoma, and between other leaders of both nations; as well as by countless displays of solidarity and cooperation over several decades.
Faithful to that common history of deep closeness, in good times and bad between the two countries, as true friends do; Cuba came again to Namibia, this time in times of sorrow, to pay tribute to a dear friend: the third President of this African Republic, Dr. Hage Gotfried Geingob, who passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024.
A place crowded by citizens of all ages, who came -even on foot from remote places- to this sacred site to pay tribute to their leader, was the best display of love, of pure sentiment from the heart of a nation. A people who, in unity and with deep respect, did not bid farewell to a President, but rather celebrated the life of one of their most worthy sons.
Together with the brotherly Namibian people, in these difficult moments, Cuba was once again at their side. The member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party Esteban Lazo Hernandez went there to participate in the burial ceremony, representing the Party, the State, the Government and the Cuban people; high-level delegations from around 27 nations, including about twenty headed by Heads of State.
After greeting the family and the highest authorities of the country, the head of the Cuban Parliament paid respectful tribute to the dear friend in the place where his remains have been laid to rest since Sunday.
"We will never forget our friends, and Namibia and Geingob have known how to be friends."
Previously, on Saturday, February 24, the President of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State spoke at the posthumous tribute to Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob, at the Independence Stadium, in Windhoek.
In his speech, Lazo Hernandez, explained that - by virtue of Presidential Decree no. 452, of July 1, 2022-; President Miguel Diaz-Canel granted the highest distinction of the Cuban State to the late president, which he could not receive during his lifetime; therefore, on Sunday he would have the honor of delivering it to his wife, in the framework of the posthumous tribute in Windhoek.
"I fulfill this mandate, on behalf of the Party, the State, the Government and the Cuban people", he pointed out when handing over the distinction to Monica Geingos, Dr. Geingob's wife.
At the same time, he stressed that the beautiful history that united Hage G. Geingob with our country made him a close friend of our people and its Revolution; hence, he was worthy of the two most important decorations granted by the Republic of Cuba. In addition to the order awarded posthumously today, in 1995, when he was Prime Minister, Fidel imposed on him the "Carlos Manuel de Cespedes" Order.
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