Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Cuban Envoy Hails African Union on Golden Jubilee

Cuban envoy hails AU on golden jubilee

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 00:00
Tendai H. Manzvanzvike Foreign Editor
Zimbabwe Herald

THE Cuban Embassy in Zimbabwe has underscored the strong ties that exist between the African continent and Caribbean nation.

Speaking on the occasion of the African Union’s golden jubilee celebrations on May 25, Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe Cde Enrique Antonio Prieto Lopez said in a statement,

“The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba has the honour to express its heart-felt congratulatory message to the Zimbabwean and African peoples on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity / African Union, on 25 May 2013, which makes Africa Day this year a historical celebration.”

The Cuban envoy also said, the embassy takes the opportunity “to wish for a very successful African Union summit under the theme ‘Pan-Africanism and Renaissance in the 21st century’, which becomes a special summit because of the 50th anniversary celebrations and the outstanding goals achieved during this period.”

Ambassador Lopez added that this was an occasion “to reaffirm the historical and unwavering bonds of solidarity and friendship that exist between the Cuban and African peoples cemented in the joint fight for decolonisation, for independence and against apartheid.”

The historical ties between Africa and Cuba date back to the Cuban Revolution of 1959 headed by former President Fidel Castro Ruz, a period which also saw a number of African countries attaining independence. It was also during this period that the Organisation of African Unity was established on May 25, 1963. The OAU was transformed to the AU in 2002.

Cuba played a major role in the AU through her support of Africa’s liberation struggles.
Africa and Cuba continue to enjoy strong relations both at bilateral and multilateral levels.

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