Cuba treasures its history of solidarity with the African people

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations

Marcus Garvey – ”None but ourselves can free our minds“

Cuba joins today the celebration of the 53rd anniversary of Africa Day, a date when we celebrate together the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union, and the 130th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Cuba.

The Cuban people are very proud of its African roots, which are present in our idiosyncrasy and our cultural manifestations. Cuban culture and nationality arose full of African heritage. Cuba has also contributed the sweat and blood of hundreds of thousands of its people to the emancipation of Africa, a continent all humanity will always be indebted to.

Cuba treasures its history of solidarity with the African peoples. The Cuban Revolution never hesitated to support the struggle of African brothers and sisters against colonialism and the Apartheid. Further on, it offered its uninterested help to the social development of African nations. Thousands of Cuban professionals in different fields have offered their modest contribution to this continent. The brigade of Cuban health professionals, members of the Henry Reeve Contingent, which was sent to Africa to offer all its medical support against the Ebola epidemic in Guinea Conakry, Liberia and Sierra Leone, constitutes another example of Cuba’s steadfast commitment with the region.

Fidel Castro and Amilcar Cabral, leader and architect of the struggle to liberate Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde from the yoke of Portuguese colonialism, January 1966

Cuba avails itself of this opportunity to convey its gratitude for the permanent support of the African Union in the struggle against the blockade and ratifies the will of the Cuban Government to continue strengthening the brotherhood and cooperation relations with the African peoples.