Namibia, Cuba rekindle diplomatic bond
• Geingob denounces US sanctions against Cuba
President Hage Geingob has strongly condemned the US trade sanctions against Cuba, emphasising the country's role in promoting global solidarity, particularly through medical aid efforts and expressing concern about the impact on innocent Cuban citizens, especially children.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel came close to tears on Saturday when he delivered an emotional speech highlighting the unwavering, unconditional and "eternal bond" between Namibia and Cuba.
He said the relationship between the two countries is rooted in a shared history of struggle, where both nations have drawn strength from the courage of Africans, including Namibians who were forcibly enslaved and later fought for their freedom in Cuba.
The Cuban president, who returns to Cuba this morning, visited Namibia as the guest of honour for the Heroes Day celebrations at the Independence Stadium over the weekend.
Mutual praise
Díaz-Canel also had a tête-à-tête with President Geingob at State House yesterday, during which Namibia and Cuba signed agreements in areas such as trade and investment promotion, political and democratic consultations, and the transfer of convicted persons.
"Men and women from African lands were snatched from here, also from Namibia. Colonialists snatched free men and women from Africa and turned them into slaves in our land – and those slaves who were there fought for their freedom, and as they fought for their freedom, they also joined the struggles for Cuba’s independence," the Cuban president said during the meeting.
He added: "In the process, they made a contribution to shaping the Cuban nation by transferring their beliefs, cultures and feelings. So when you were praising Cubans who fought shoulder to shoulder with Swapo fighters, that valour was transferred by you. We are proud of being half-breeds."
Heroics
He emphasised that when Cubans came to fight alongside Africans, such as Namibia and Angola, they did so because they felt a connection to the continent and saw it as a "debt repaid".
He said this in response to Geingob, who said that despite standing by Namibia through thick and thin, Cuba has never demanded any form of repayment.
"The gallant fighters of Cuba sought no reward through their heroic actions. They were merely driven by the very principles that had helped them achieve the revolution in their own country. Their sacrifices in blood, alongside those of Namibia’s sons and daughters, resulted in the turning point of our armed struggle and shall remain forever in the annals of history," Geingob said.
He added: "The gallant fighters of Cuba did not fight to come back and ask for gold or diamonds; they only came to collect the debt for their sons and daughters. That kind of commitment – how to thank you?"
International goodwill
Meanwhile, Geingob condemned the "unfair and absurd" listing of Cuba as a state sponsor of international terrorism by the American government.
According to Geingob, Cuba will always be considered by Namibia and many other friendly nations around the world as a country promoting international peace and solidarity, especially through the continuous deployment of Cuban health brigades to assist with pandemics.
Therefore, Cuba is a sponsor of international goodwill, harmony and peace, not terrorism, the president said.
"What crime did Cuba commit for innocent children, forget the adults, to be denied medical supplies?", the President asked.
He added: "It is perplexing that innocent children that are born and know nothing about 1960, who don’t know anything, are now suffering and cannot enjoy their independence. What about those children’s human rights? What is the crime?"
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He said the relationship between the two countries is rooted in a shared history of struggle, where both nations have drawn strength from the courage of Africans, including Namibians who were forcibly enslaved and later fought for their freedom in Cuba.
The Cuban president, who returns to Cuba this morning, visited Namibia as the guest of honour for the Heroes Day celebrations at the Independence Stadium over the weekend.
Mutual praise
Díaz-Canel also had a tête-à-tête with President Geingob at State House yesterday, during which Namibia and Cuba signed agreements in areas such as trade and investment promotion, political and democratic consultations, and the transfer of convicted persons.
"Men and women from African lands were snatched from here, also from Namibia. Colonialists snatched free men and women from Africa and turned them into slaves in our land – and those slaves who were there fought for their freedom, and as they fought for their freedom, they also joined the struggles for Cuba’s independence," the Cuban president said during the meeting.
He added: "In the process, they made a contribution to shaping the Cuban nation by transferring their beliefs, cultures and feelings. So when you were praising Cubans who fought shoulder to shoulder with Swapo fighters, that valour was transferred by you. We are proud of being half-breeds."
Heroics
He emphasised that when Cubans came to fight alongside Africans, such as Namibia and Angola, they did so because they felt a connection to the continent and saw it as a "debt repaid".
He said this in response to Geingob, who said that despite standing by Namibia through thick and thin, Cuba has never demanded any form of repayment.
"The gallant fighters of Cuba sought no reward through their heroic actions. They were merely driven by the very principles that had helped them achieve the revolution in their own country. Their sacrifices in blood, alongside those of Namibia’s sons and daughters, resulted in the turning point of our armed struggle and shall remain forever in the annals of history," Geingob said.
He added: "The gallant fighters of Cuba did not fight to come back and ask for gold or diamonds; they only came to collect the debt for their sons and daughters. That kind of commitment – how to thank you?"
International goodwill
Meanwhile, Geingob condemned the "unfair and absurd" listing of Cuba as a state sponsor of international terrorism by the American government.
According to Geingob, Cuba will always be considered by Namibia and many other friendly nations around the world as a country promoting international peace and solidarity, especially through the continuous deployment of Cuban health brigades to assist with pandemics.
Therefore, Cuba is a sponsor of international goodwill, harmony and peace, not terrorism, the president said.
"What crime did Cuba commit for innocent children, forget the adults, to be denied medical supplies?", the President asked.
He added: "It is perplexing that innocent children that are born and know nothing about 1960, who don’t know anything, are now suffering and cannot enjoy their independence. What about those children’s human rights? What is the crime?"
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