Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba embarked on a five-day state visit to Cuba on Saturday, aiming to bolster bilateral relations between the two nations.
Invited by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Mbumba’s visit focuses on enhancing economic cooperation, South-South collaboration and promoting stronger business and economic ties.
“During the visit, President Mbumba will engage in bilateral meetings with his counterpart, H.E. Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, with the objective of scaling up bilateral cooperation,” the Namibian presidency said in a statement.
The visit aims to explore opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation and fostering greater business and economic ties between the two nations.
Namibia and Cuba share a longstanding bond of friendship and solidarity, dating back to Namibia’s struggle for independence.
Under the leadership of former president Fidel Castro, Cuba provided vital support to Namibia’s SWAPO liberation movement by supplying military equipment and training its fighters.
Following Namibia’s independence, the two countries established diplomatic relations, with Cuba continuing to support Namibia in various sectors, including healthcare and education.
Today, Namibia and Cuba maintain excellent bilateral cooperation, having signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Notably, three MoUs were signed during Bermúdez’s state visit to Namibia in August 2023.
These include agreements between the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Centre for the Promotion of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba on political and diplomatic consultations, and on the transfer of convicted persons.
The two nations currently cooperate across various sectors, including health and education, defence and security, construction, works and transport, tourism and environmental management, and fisheries and marine resources.
The Namibian leader is scheduled to return home on December 18.
JN/APA