Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference Condemns U.S. Blockade and Stands with Cuba, Charts Comprehensive Plan to Bolster African Support for Cuba
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a historic gathering held from January 15 to 17, 2024, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, delegates from various nations convened for the 7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference. The conference, hosted by the South African revolutionary alliance, featured high-level Cuban and African representatives and aimed to strengthen international solidarity with the Cuban government and people.
The conference expressed sincere gratitude to the host organizations, including the African National Congress, South African Communist Party, Congress of South African Trade Unions, and South African National Civic Organisation, as well as the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and the Friends of Cuba Society.
Led by a delegation from Cuba, headed by Comrade Fernando Gonzalez Llort, President of the Cuban Institute for Friendship among the People (ICAP), the event brought together leaders, activists, and representatives from African national liberation movements, political parties, solidarity associations, and networks.
The gathering served as a crucial platform to reaffirm support for Cuba, especially in the face of the intensified economic, trade, investment, and financial blockade imposed by the United States. Delegates condemned the U.S. administration, including President Joe Biden, for continuing the inhumane blockade, which has been a longstanding point of contention in global relations.
While acknowledging the historic role of Cuba in supporting national liberation struggles, particularly in Africa, the conference highlighted Cuba’s significant contributions, such as the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola. This battle, which involved Cuban soldiers fighting alongside African liberation forces, played a pivotal role in the liberation of Angola and Namibia, ultimately contributing to the end of apartheid in South Africa.
The conference recognized Cuba’s achievements in upholding social, cultural, and economic rights, despite facing a six-decade-long economic blockade. It commended Cuba as the only country in the world to fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Delegates strongly condemned the U.S. blockade as illegal and called for its immediate and unconditional end, as well as the occupation of Guantanamo Bay, a Cuban territory. The conference adopted a Program of Action outlining concrete steps to raise awareness, intensify political protests, and deepen collaboration between Cuba and African nations in various sectors.
In conclusion, the conference pledged unwavering support and solidarity with the Cuban revolutionary government and people, reaffirming Africa’s commitment to stand against oppression and imperialism. The next Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference is set to be hosted by FRELIMO, the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique, in Mozambique.
Cuban ICAP President Emphasizes Strengthening Solidarity Amidst Global Challenges
President Fernando González Llort of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) highlighted the imperative of enhancing global awareness to confront the current challenges and threats posed by the US empire. Speaking at the 7th African Continental Meeting of Solidarity, González Llort, a Hero of the Republic of Cuba, underscored the necessity of consolidating solidarity and fortifying the unbreakable bonds that unite nations.
Addressing over 230 delegates from approximately 25 countries, González Llort acknowledged the complex international context characterized by the looming threat of war, impacting global relations and causing disastrous effects on the world economy. Simultaneously, the world grapples with the devastating consequences of climate change, global warming, diseases, and epidemics.
González Llort emphasized that the collective mobilization of people worldwide in support of Palestine calls for an end to brutal aggression against a sovereign state defending its right to exist. He denounced Zionism and imperialism, asserting that they have revealed their true criminal and genocidal face.
Expressing Cuba’s solidarity, González Llort announced support for South Africa’s plea to initiate proceedings against the Zionist entity at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
He underscored that Africa holds immense significance for Cubans, being an integral part of their history, culture, and daily lives. González Llort decried the economic blockade imposed by the US against Cuba, emphasizing its detrimental impact on the Cuban economy. The arbitrary inclusion of Cuba in the list of countries sponsoring terrorism, according to González Llort, represents a severe sanction affecting banking and financial relations.
Drawing inspiration from leaders like President Nelson Mandela and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, González Llort concluded by highlighting the lessons learned through solidarity, illustrating the power of collective action, resistance, and eventual triumph.
Unifying Forces: Africa Cuba Solidarity Program of Action Advocates Stronger Ties
In a resounding display of solidarity, the 7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference concluded with the adoption of an extensive Program of Action. Delegates, representing progressive forces across the African continent, convened to fortify ties with the Cuban Revolution and vehemently condemn the longstanding economic blockade imposed by the United States.
The Program of Action, outlined below, encompasses diverse facets of collaboration, ranging from education and health to economic solidarity, people-to-people engagement, cultural ties, and diplomatic efforts.
The following key initiatives were outlined during the conference:
On Education, Health, and Science and Technology
1. Strengthen cooperation in health, telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, disease prevention, and training of medical personnel, emphasizing support for the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors.
2. Encourage cooperation and exchange programs between universities, academics, and students.
3. Maintain partnerships in training doctors and engineers, considering Cuban teachers at the high school level and ensuring recognition of Cuban degrees.
4. Embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, integrate technology in education and administrative systems, create jobs, and collaborate with Cuba on telemedicine.
5. Support cooperation among continental, regional, and country research institutions on technology with relevant Cuban institutions.
6. Explore Cuba’s approach to climate change, analyze media narratives, and partner with institutions for educational initiatives.
On Pan African Solidarity Action and Coordination
7. Declare an annual Cuban Solidarity Focus Week, culminating in an African Day of Solidarity with Cuba on 23 March each year, featuring mass protests at US embassies.
8. Promote events, conferences, exhibitions, and panels to honor the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and the Cuban people in Africa.
9. Establish a Pan-African Continental and In-Country coordination network to streamline collaborative efforts.
10. Coordinate and monitor African solidarity efforts, reporting to the next Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference.
11. Advocate for the creation of a Cuban Pan African Solidarity Fund through crowdfunding and contributions.
On Economic Solidarity and Cooperation
13. Strengthen economic cooperation between Cuba and African countries, focusing on various sectors, including telemedicine, agriculture, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, and technology transfer.
14. Collaborate on trade, finance, and economic activities through regional forums, the African Continental Free Trade Area, BRICS, and the African Union.
15. Address challenges faced by Cuban embassies in accessing financial and banking facilities within African countries.
16. Support collaboration between trade unions in African countries and Cuban trade union federations.
On People to People and Diaspora Solidarity
19. Raise awareness through social media, citizen and political education, and community-based activities.
20. Organize grassroots mobilization activities, including documentary screenings, poetry sessions, and cultural exchanges to build strong networks of support for Cuba.
21. Expand the campaign to collect non-perishable goods and ship them to Cuba at least twice a year.
22. Establish a network of alumni trained in Cuba to contribute to solidarity activities.
23. Organize community-based agricultural programs and empowerment initiatives for communities.
24. Conduct ideological work to engage in the battle of ideas on solidarity, history, and Cuba’s contributions.
25. Develop communication strategies through various platforms to disseminate information about Cuba.
On Cultural Solidarity
26. Encourage sporting activities between African and Cuban sports clubs for educational and fundraising purposes.
27. Promote cooperation and exchanges in film, art, music, broadcasting, and other cultural domains.
28. Support the construction of monuments in Angola and other countries celebrating Cuba’s contribution to African liberation.
On Women and Youth Solidarity
29. Encourage women’s solidarity through cooperation among Women’s Leagues of National Liberation Movements.
30. Strengthen youth solidarity with Cuba through brigades, exchanges, and awareness campaigns.
On Diplomatic and Government to Government Actions
31. Encourage liberation movements and political parties to advocate for the lifting of financial and trade blockades against Cuba.
32. Urge African governments to raise the issue of the economic blockade against Cuba in diplomatic relations.
33. Review Memorandum of Understanding/Agreements to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.
34. Promote the establishment of Cuban institutions in African countries, focusing on education and leveraging African minerals.
35. Strengthen local government twinning agreements between African and Cuban municipalities.
36. Distribute the Declaration and Programme of Action of this conference to legislatures worldwide.
37. Reach out to Cuba Solidarity networks in the USA, Canada, and other parts of the world.
38. Lobby, mobilize, and advocate in the USA for the lifting of the blockade against Cuba.
39. Write a letter to the government of the United States, signed by conference participants, calling for the end of the unilateral economic blockade.
Reporting and the 8th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference
40. Request South Africa to monitor the implementation of this programme of action and hand over the report to Mozambique at the next conference.
41. Welcome the offer from Mozambique to host the 8th Africa-Cuba Solidarity Conference.
This comprehensive Programme of Action reflects the commitment of the 7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference to strengthen ties and solidarity between Africa and Cuba across various sectors.
7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference: Resolute Condemnation of Zionist Aggression in Palestine
The conference also issued a resolution condemning the actions of the apartheid Zionist regime and expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Notes from the Resolution of the 7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference on Palestine
1. Strong Condemnation: Delegates at the 7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference unequivocally condemn the fascist genocide perpetrated by the apartheid Zionist regime against the people of Palestine.
2. US Support Condemned: Equal condemnation is directed towards the United States of America for its support of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu are held accountable for the bloodshed of innocent men, women, and children in Gaza.
3. Denouncing Violations: Strong condemnation is expressed for the mass detentions, continual occupation of Palestinian homes and land, and other gross violations of human rights inflicted upon the people of Palestine.
4. Gaza as a Death Chamber: The daily mass murder by the Zionist Defence Force has transformed Gaza into a concentration camp and a death chamber for the Palestinian people. Zionist Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Biden are accused of complicity in these heinous acts, drawing parallels to historical atrocities.
5. Support for Legal Action: The Conference supports the principled decision of the South African government to charge the criminal entity with genocide at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherlands.
6. Pledge of Solidarity: Delegates pledge unwavering support for the people of Palestine in their struggle for human rights, dignity, freedom, and their inalienable right to self-determination.
7. Call for Ceasefire: Urgent calls are made for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the need for urgent humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered people of Gaza.
The comprehensive documents encompassing the Declaration, Program of Action (POA), and Resolution of the 7th Africa Cuba Solidarity Conference can be accessed through the following link, providing a robust foundation for understanding the conference’s impactful deliberations and commitments.
file:///C:/Users/HP/Downloads/Declaration,%20POA%20&%20Resolution%20of%20the%207th%20Africa%20Cuba%20Solidarity%20Conference%20FINAL.pdf
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