Dublin, Saturday June 11, 2022. Participants in the launch of the book entitled “International Brigade against Apartheid. Secrets of the people's war that liberated South Africa”, held at the “Liberty Hall” theater in this capital, expressed their admiration and respect for the decisive role played by Cuba in the liberation of the African continent, particularly in the fight against disgraceful regime of Apartheid. Ronnie Kasrils, a prominent combatant and its author, recalled the Battle of Cuito Canavale as a turning point in the liberation of his country and southern Africa.
For her part, in her speech, the President of the Sinn Féin Party, Marie Lou McDonald, referring to Cuba, in addition to highlighting its role in Africa, rejected the US economic, commercial and financial blockade that has lasted 62 years.
The Cuban ambassador to Ireland, Bernardo Guanche, thanked those present for recognizing the role played by his country in Africa and the solidarity of those present. He highlighted the brotherly relationship between Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela. He concluded by pointing out that the people who accompanied the Africans in their struggle for emancipation are also the ones who hold high the flags of socialism and internationalism and do so convinced that if the solidarity of the progressive world was capable of defeating Apartheid, so too will do with the criminal blockade and the hostile policy of the US against Cuba.
The book includes a chapter written by comrade Héctor Igarza Cabrera, currently the Cuban ambassador to Canada, in which he explains the historical links between the peoples of Cuba and Africa, the role played by internationalism, led by the Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro, the feat of the Battle of Cuito Canavale, in March 1988, coup de grace to Apartheid and the Cuban policy of principles during the negotiations to achieve peace.
Embassy in Ireland.