The Namibian Parliament unanimously approved a motion on Tuesday demanding the lifting of US sanctions against Cuba.
The document, presented last September by SWAPO member of the parliament Tobie Aupindi, rigorously describes the essence of the US blockade against Cuba.
“Aware that the Charter of the United Nations urges Member States to promote peace, development, and coexistence as good neighbors; convinced that the Cuban people have long suffered from the severe and excessive blockade imposed by successive US administrations since February 1962… we demand that the United States of America lift the economic, financial, and commercial blockade against the Republic of Cuba and its people, and immediately remove the Republic of Cuba from the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism,” the motion states.
Aupindi noted that these are targeted sanctions imposed by the US government on Cuba, but that the entire world is obliged to comply with them or face serious consequences.
"We cannot allow this. World peace must prevail. I urge the members of Parliament to defend the human rights, dignity, and efforts of the Cuban people," he declared.
As part of the debate, the Minister of International Relations and Trade of Namibia, Her Excellency Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, who recently visited the island to participate in the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission between the two nations, reaffirmed her unconditional support for our country.
"Cuba's contribution to South-South cooperation is well documented. Cuba has contributed to the decolonization of Africa, especially in Southern Africa. For Namibia, the narrative of the struggle for national liberation would be incomplete without taking into account its contribution," she stated.
The minister also referred to the years in which Cuba has presented the resolution against the blockade at the United Nations and received overwhelming support in the General Assembly, which speaks to the international community's condemnation of this scourge. "I ask this National Assembly to unanimously support the lifting of the blockade against Cuba. For Namibians, this is not only correct, it is a moral imperative," she stated.
In this last session of the National Assembly, Fredrick Shitana, a member of parliament from the opposition Affirmative Repositioning party, also expressed his rejection of the US sanctions against Cuba. “The message is very clear: everyone who passes through the United States should tell their government that they must immediately lift the sanctions. I support the motion because I support Cuba,” he stated.
The motion, which was endorsed by all the parties in the Namibian Parliament, denounces that “despite the end of the Cold War, the embargo on Cuba remains in place. Today, some 63 years later, this embargo has caused economic devastation, especially in Cuba, and both countries are missing out on a great economic opportunity. The current situation is unsustainable for both countries.”
The report "Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Blockade Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba" is scheduled to be presented to the United Nations General Assembly on October 28 and 29, in compliance with Resolution 79/7 of that intergovernmental body.
Since 1992, 33 years ago, the island has ratified its victory in that multilateral forum with the affirmative vote of virtually all of its members.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has denounced the US government's pressure on several countries to reduce international support this year for the UN General Assembly resolution.
"It is no coincidence that the US State Department, following the corrupt agenda of its Secretary, lobbies with lies and pressures allies to reduce support for the UNGA resolution against the blockade of Cuba. It seeks to deceive the international community and hide the serious damage caused to Cuban families," the Cuban Foreign Minister denounced.
But once again the world will stand with Cuba. The overwhelming support of the international community will continue to recognize the heroic resistance of the noble, dignified, and supportive Cuban people.
