The member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz arrived in Namibia to attend the inauguration ceremony of new President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, an event that coincided with the celebrations for the country's 35th anniversary of independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations, which took place on March 21, 1990.
"Thank you for the welcome and your continued support", the Head of Government expressed to Kalumbi Shangula, the African country's Minister of Health, who, along with Sergio Vigoa de la Uz, Cuban ambassador to the country, came to welcome him.
The inauguration ceremony for the leader of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) party was attended by several high-level leaders and delegations. In keeping with tradition, coinciding with the celebrations for the national holiday, the new head of state assumed the mandate of the electorate, which, last November, granted her 57% of the vote.
Marrero attended the official ceremony representing the Cuban government and the Cuban Communist Party, which maintains close ties with the Southwest African People's Organization (SWAPO).
Following the ceremony, the head of government held a fraternal meeting with the president, during which they agreed to begin a new phase in strengthening economic, trade, and cooperation relations.
As part of his busy schedule in this southern African nation, the Prime Minister held meetings with Nangolo Mbumba, outgoing president, and Saara Kuugongelwa, former prime minister of the Republic and newly elected speaker of the National Assembly. During these exchanges, he expressed his gratitude for the solidarity and brotherhood of the Namibian people in defense of our just causes.
"You are very welcome to Namibia. No Cuban should feel like a foreigner, because this is also your homeland. You were ready to shed your own blood for our country, and for us today it is a very special honor that you are here", said Nangolo Mbumba.
This dear friend of Namibia has visited Namibia eight times, most recently last year when he received the José Martí Order, the highest decoration awarded by our nation. With the affection that reflects the encounter with a brother, Mbumba commented that it had been 35 years "we haven't had such intense rain in the country. In fact, it is raining in the Namibian deserts right now, so thank you very much for bringing us the rain".
For his part, Marrero Cruz conveyed "the warm greetings and embrace" of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic.
It meant that "we are not in a foreign country, but rather visiting our own home. We say this with all our hearts, because Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz instilled in us this love for Africa. The people master the history of Africa and love this continent".
The Head of Government expressed his condolences for the passing of Namibia's Founding Father and first President, Sam Nujoma, "which moved us all," while also recalling the ties that united him and Fidel, "two leaders of gigantic stature who made much history and shaped new generations".
"We are very grateful", he said to the outgoing President, who, in his various responsibilities, has continuously promoted the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. "I congratulate you on the celebration of the 35th anniversary of independence and the establishment of our bilateral relations".
Likewise, during the exchange at the State House with Saara Kuugongelwa, current president of the National Assembly, they discussed the importance of preserving the legacy of Fidel and Sam Nujoma, whose friendship symbolizes the close ties between the two countries; the special affection that unites Cubans and Namibians; and the desire to strengthen collaboration.
Recognizing that two women hold the highest positions in the African nation, Marrero Cruz provided details of the National Program for the Advancement of Women on the Caribbean island, a state policy that seeks to promote gender equality. He also emphasized the need to consolidate economic, trade, and cooperation relations and elevate them to the same level as political ones.
The Cuban delegation also includes José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health; Déborah Rivas Saavedra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernández, Director General of Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sergio Vigoa de la Uz, Cuban Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero also held a pleasant exchange with a group of Cuban collaborators serving in Namibia and members of the Caribbean nation's diplomatic mission in the African country.
"Each of you is an ambassador of Cuba in the country where you work. We are very grateful for your noble mission", the head of government emphasized, summing up the meeting.
During the meeting, the head of the medical brigade, Irais Coober, explained that the health professionals are present in 11 of the country's 14 regions.
Doctors from different specialties, electrophysiologists, and pharmacy graduates work alongside Namibian doctors who graduated in Cuba.
According to the official Cuban government account, integrating into a different culture, overcoming language barriers, and treating conditions uncommon in the Caribbean country are some of the challenges that the collaborators, Cuban ambassadors of solidarity, face daily.
Before bidding farewell, the head of government and his entourage visited Heroes' Acre and laid wreaths at the resting place of San Nujoma, Namibia's first president, and former president Hage G. Geingob.
"It is of great significance for us to be here", said Marrero, who recalled that both figures were close friends of Cuba and distinguished by their displays of solidarity and affection toward the people of the Caribbean nation.