Text and photos: Enrique Moreno Gimeranez
The member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of the People's Power and the Council of State, held a friendly meeting on March 1 with Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, president of the sister Republic of Namibia; to whom he delivered a message of condolences from Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and from Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, for the unfortunate death of the Founding Father and first President of the African nation, Dr. Sam Nujoma.
Lazo Hernández especially recalled his last meeting with Sam Nujoma, on February 25th, 2024; on the occasion of his visit to the African sister country to participate in the State Funeral of the third President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage G. Geingob. On that unforgettable occasion, Nujoma thanked Cuba for its contribution to the independence of his country and for its permanent solidarity with its people; he also ratified his admiration and close friendship with the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro; Lazo Hernández recalled.
«Fidel Castro taught us to love Africa, especially Namibia. The best tribute to the legacy of Fidel and Nujoma will be to continue strengthening our historic relations of brotherhood, in areas of mutual interest, for the benefit of both peoples», said the President of the Cuban legislature; while highlighting the personal contribution of Nangolo Mbumba to the strengthening of bilateral ties.
For his part, the Namibian president thanked the Greater Antilles for their solidarity in these difficult times for their people and, especially, for the presence in Windhoek of a high-level Cuban delegation, also composed of José Ramón Monteagudo Ruiz, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Party and head of its Agri-Food Department; and the Heroes of the Republic of Cuba, Army Corps General Joaquín Quintas Solá, Deputy Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and Fernando González Llort, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP); to participate in the State Funeral.
At the same time, he conveyed his warm greetings to Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and to President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Later, the head of the Cuban Parliament had a fraternal dialogue with the President-elect of the sister African nation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, current Vice President of the Republic and Vice President of the South West African People's Organization (SWAPO); to whom, first of all, he conveyed the congratulations of Army General Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel for her election. He recognized Namibia's unwavering support in the struggle to lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government against Cuba, and for the exclusion of our country from the spurious and unilateral list of alleged States sponsoring terrorism.
"We will continue to support the just causes of Cuba in the different multilateral forums," said the President-elect; She also confirmed the close and historic relations with our country, which will continue to be consolidated during her term in office.
Previously, Esteban Lazo participated in the emotional burial ceremony of the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation and first President of the sister Republic of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma, and placed a floral wreath as a posthumous tribute to this dear friend of Cuba; at the Heroes Acre, on the outskirts of Windhoek.
The State Funeral became a true display of love, respect and tribute from the Namibian people to their historic leader; where the other members of the high-level Cuban delegation participated, as well as several international dignitaries, including the Presidents of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa; Angola, João Lourenço; and Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In a fraternal conversation with these Heads of State, Esteban Lazo conveyed warm greetings from the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and ratified the will to continue strengthening interparliamentary relations with these African nations. In addition, the President of the National Assembly spoke with the President of the Parliament of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); and greeted Monica Geingos, wife of the late third President of the Republic of Namibia, Hage G. Geingob, and Ana dos Santos, wife of the late President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos; among other personalities participating in the burial ceremony.