BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Cuba has left many victims in dire need of assistance. In a show of solidarity and generosity, Algeria has donated half a million dollars in food products to the most affected locality, Pinar del Rio. The Algerian ambassador to Havana, Abdelkrim Benchiah, personally handed over the donation during a ceremony held on Tuesday, which was attended by representatives of both central and local Cuban authorities.
The provincial vice-governor expressed his gratitude for this noble and significant gesture, acknowledging the impact it will have on the affected populations. He also emphasized the historical ties of friendship and solidarity that have long existed between Algeria and Cuba.
This donation from Algeria serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation and support during times of crisis. It is heartening to see countries coming together to provide aid and assistance to those in need. The Algerian Red Crescent’s contribution to this effort is particularly noteworthy, and we commend them for their commitment to humanitarian causes.
Highlights of Algerian, Cuban bilateral cooperation
Algeria and Cuba share a longstanding and unique relationship that has spanned many decades. The two nations have collaborated on a range of issues, including trade, culture, politics, and security. Algeria and Cuba are both known for their anti-colonial struggles and their commitment to socialism and anti-imperialism. Their relationship is based on a shared vision for a more just and equitable world.
Algeria and Cuba are two countries that have played an important role in shaping the geopolitics of the global South. Both countries have been at the forefront of the struggle against imperialism and neocolonialism. Algeria was a pioneer of the Non-Aligned Movement, and Cuba has been a leading voice in the fight against economic exploitation and inequality. The two countries continue to work together to promote the rights and interests of developing countries on the global stage. They are known for their principled stances in favor of just causes, including the Palestinian and Saharawi ones.
Joint efforts in anti-colonial struggles
Algeria and Cuba both experienced the effects of colonization and imperialist dominance. They played crucial roles in the anti-colonial struggles of the 20th century and supported each other’s sovereignty movements. In the 1960s, for example, Cuba provided military and logistical support to Algeria in its fight for independence. This solidarity continued throughout the years, and Cuba was one of the first countries to recognize Algeria after its independence.
To elaborate, Cuba was the only country in the Western Hemisphere to have recognized, in 1961, the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) as the legitimate government of Algeria. In December 1961, the Cuban ship Bahia de Nipe left Havana with numerous weapons to land in Casablanca. From this Moroccan city, they were transported in January 1962 to the FLN camp, near Oujda, near the Algerian border. Back in Havana, the ship Bahia de Nipe anchored with 78 wounded militants and 20 children from the refugee camps, most of them orphans.
Since October 17, 1962, Cuba and Algeria have maintained diplomatic relations. On this date, the then Prime Minister of Algeria, Ahmed Ben Bella, signed a joint declaration with his Cuban counterpart, Fidel Castro Ruz, formally establishing bilateral relations. A year later, in May 1963, Cuba’s first internationalist medical brigade arrived in that African country, an event referred to in history as the beginning of the Revolution’s solidarity cooperation. Thousands of Cuban professionals have served the nation. Since then, both nations have maintained close ties, and their collaboration covers the sectors of health, energy, construction, education, culture, and sports, among others.
We, as Algerians, remember the “Dignity Operation”, with the arrival on October 22, 1963, of the Cuban military contingent that came to support the nascent Algerian Republic against the Moroccan invader, under Fidel Castro’s maxim: “For Algeria, all the help it needs”. The contingent remained until March 1964 and helped to prepare the young People’s National Army, an indestructible bastion of the triumphant Algerian Revolution and worthy heir to the glorious National Liberation Army.
Algerian-Cuban cooperation in the Non-Aligned Movement
Both Algeria and Cuba have been active members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) since its inception in 1961. As members of this movement, they have cooperated in various international forums and worked together to promote the interests of the Global South. They have both fiercely opposed neocolonialism, imperialism, and any form of domination over developing countries.
Trade exchange
Algerian-Cuban economic relations are evaluating at a rapid pace in line with the commitments made by the high authorities of the two countries, following the visit, last November, of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez to Algiers, and the holding of a business forum in Havana with an Algerian delegation, headed by Health Minister Abdelhak Saihi, devoted to the inking of a range of cooperation agreements, crowning privileged relations, as declared by His Excellency, the Cuban Ambassador in Algiers, Mr. Armando Vergara Bueno who has been deploying tireless efforts, since his arrival in Algiers, to promote historical and economic ties between the two friendly countries, welcoming, on different occasions, the dynamics of relations between Algiers and Havana, and lauding Algeria’ stances in favor of Cuba, which, for more than 60 years, has been facing an arbitrary blockade imposed by the United States of America.
Collaboration in Arts, Education, Health, and Sport
Algeria and Cuba have collaborated in various fields, such as the arts, education, health, and sport. Algerian students have studied in Cuban universities, and Cuban medical professionals are working in Algeria with the aim of boosting Algeria’s health system. Algeria has also hosted several Cuban cultural festivals, and the two countries have exchanged sports delegations. There is potential for increased collaboration in these fields, which will strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations.
Common interests in global politics and International Law
Algeria and Cuba have shared interests in global politics and have been firm supporters of international law and the UN system. They have both condemned the interference of foreign powers in other countries’ domestic affairs and advocated for a more just, equal, and peaceful world order. They have also been involved in various international initiatives, including climate change negotiations and efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Algeria-Cuba relations as a model for Global South Diplomacy
Algeria-Cuba relations can be seen as a model for Global South diplomacy, showcasing the potential for mutual cooperation and solidarity among developing countries. It highlights the importance of respecting each other’ sovereignty and supporting each other’ struggles for independence and self-determination. The relationship between Algeria and Cuba provides a blueprint for other nations in the Global South to follow as they work towards a more just and equitable world.
In conclusion, the privileged relationship between Algeria and Cuba has demonstrated the power of South-South cooperation in achieving common goals. The historical ties and shared vision of these two nations have helped them overcome political and economic challenges and continue to inspire other countries in the Global South. As Algeria and Cuba look towards the future, there is much potential for further cooperation and partnership in the pursuit of peace, prosperity, and social justice for all.
