Freetown, September 16, 2026. A farewell ceremony was held at the Cuban Embassy in Freetown for the three Sierra Leonean students who will begin their studies on the Caribbean island during the upcoming 2026–2027 academic year.
The farewell ceremony was presided over by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Ms. Norma Sanchez Aguila, and by the Director of Planning at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr. Idrissa Sannoh.
In her remarks, the Cuban diplomat reported that approximately 17 Sierra Leonean students are currently studying at Cuban medical universities. Ambassador Sánchez Águila affirmed that despite the intensification of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade, the energy blockade, and the secondary sanctions imposed by the U.S. government against Cuba, as well as the threats of military aggression looming over the island, Cuba will never cease to support its African brothers and sisters in training their professionals, especially Sierra Leone, as Cuba is deeply grateful for Sierra Leone’s historic support for the Cuban resolution against the blockade within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly.
For his part, Director Sannoh thanked the Government of Cuba for its contribution to the training of Sierra Leonean professionals, particularly in the public health sector.
The family members of the three students were also present at the farewell ceremony.
Cuban Embassy in Sierra Leone