AMBASSADOR of Cuba to Tanzania, Mr Yordenis Despaigne has commended African countries for supporting Cuba’s efforts against US sanctions.
He also acknowledged the move by African nations in voting in favor of the resolutions presented by Cuba at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the request of the unconditional and definitive lifting of the blockade.
He made the remarks on Thursday during a dialogue held ahead of commemoration of six years since the demise of Cuban former leader, Fidel Castro.
“So far, the African Union (AU) has approved resolutions for 13 consecutive years calling for the US to remove the sanctions that cause economic suffocation for Cubans,” he said.
Speaking of the bilateral ties between Tanzania and Cuba, Ambassador Despaigne said there is a positive progress and that the two countries have continued to cherish the foundations that were set by the former leaders, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and his Cuban counterpart, Castrol.
This year Tanzania and Cuba mark 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, whereby the two countries have collaborated in health, education, sports, agriculture, construction, and human resources training.
“In these 60 years of official relations, Cuba and Tanzania More than 860 Cuban doctors have provided their services in Tanzania over the years and close to 300 young Tanzanians have studied university degrees in Cuba, 186 of them graduated in medicine,” he said.
Adding, “Cuba has also supported the construction of a Biolarvicide Plant in Kibaha District, Coast region, that produces Cuban products for malaria control that have been key in reducing the incidence of said disease in the country.”
According to him, the plant is also expecting to continue operating and diversify its productions for the development of the agricultural sector in Tanzania and possibly help other African nations.
For his part, the Executive Director of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Foundation Joseph Butiku called for a need to continue promoting peace, Unity and people – centred Developed as pioneered by the former two leaders.
“Mwalimu Nyerere and Fidel Castrol presented the political, economic order and military dominance of the strong and powerful Nation, over the small weak Nations,” he said.
