Namibia, March 16th, 2021- H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, member of the SWAPO Political Bureau and Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, was received by the Ambassador of Cuba, Sidenio Acosta Aday, in the framework of the 31st Anniversary of the Independence of this African country, which took place on March 21st, 1990.
At the meeting, held at the Residence of the Cuban Ambassador, the excellent state of the historical ties that unite Cuba and Namibia was highlighted. Vice President Mbumba and Ambassador Acosta recalled the cooperation between Angolan, Namibian and Cuban troops against the South African army of the apartheid regime. In particular, the victory in Cuito Cuanavale was remembered, a battle that allowed Angola to maintain its independence, Namibia to achieve its own and the culmination of the racist regime in South Africa.
The senior Namibian leader recalled his visits to Cuba, his meeting with Army General Raúl Castro and the talks held with other Cuban leaders. In the same way, he recalled the visit made to Namibia, in March 2019, by Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa.
Ambassador Acosta expressed Cuba’s gratitude for Namibia’s support in the fight to lift the economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States government. In this regard, the Cuban diplomat highlighted the Namibian vote against this US policy at the UN and at the African Union Summits.
On his side, Vice President Mbumba reaffirmed his country’s solidarity with the Caribbean island. Similarly, he highlighted the cooperation in dissimilar sectors between Cuba and Namibia, before and after the independence of his country.
Ambassador Acosta also offered an update on the epidemiological situation in Cuba, due to the incidence of Covid-19, and reported on the development of the five Cuban vaccine candidates.
The dialogue, held in an atmosphere of brotherhood, was also attended by Dr. Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, former Secretary General of SWAPO, Mr. Mukwaita Shanyengana, Head of the SWAPO Veterans Council, and other officials from the Cuban Embassy.
