Banjul, May 23. – Gambia and Cuba today ratified their mutual solidarity in a simple but emotional activity for Africa Day and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, held at the embassy of the Caribbean island here.
Calls to end the blockade of the largest of the Antilles, and to eliminate it from the US’s spurious list of state sponsors of terrorism, were expressed by diplomats and friends of this West African nation.
In his speech at the celebration of May 25 and 19, the director of the Americas of the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Mendy, affirmed that his country will continue to accompany Cuba, as it has always done, in its fight against the unjust blockade that has suffered for more than 60 years.
For his part, the designated new Gambian ambassador in Havana, Seyaka Sonko, urged Washington to remove the solidarity island from the arbitrary list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The president of the Gambia-Cuba Friendship Association, Joseph Modou Peh Grant, also spoke out, who also highlighted everything that the government and people of the oldest Caribbean archipelago have done for this continent, from its struggles for independence to the present. .
Mendy, Sonko and Grant, highlighted and thanked at the same time the collaboration in the field of medical assistance that Cuba and its health professionals have provided to Gambians for almost 30 years.
When addressing the guests, the ambassador of the largest of the Antilles, Rubén G. Abelenda, stressed that the solidarity between his country and this West African nation is mutual and will continue to be that way.
He added that both peoples are united by blood, cultural, historical ties and by continuous battle in defense of their independence and sovereignty.
He recalled a phrase by the Gambian foreign minister, Mamadou Tangara, who assured that Cuba is the most African nation outside of this continent.
The activity held at the island’s legation in this capital was attended by ambassadors and diplomats from Turkey and China, the director of the Banjul central hospital, Ammar Al Jafari, supportive friends and a representation of the Cuban Medical Brigade, among others.
