Niël Terblanché
Namibia welcomed the United States of America’s decision to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and hailed it as a victory for justice and international diplomacy.
President Nangolo Mbumba commended the announcement made by the Biden Administration on 14 January 2025, describing it as a long overdue step in the right direction.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mbumba lauded the decision as one that aligns with Namibia’s consistent calls in international forums for Cuba’s removal from the contentious list.
“I commend the US Government for having eventually taken the long overdue decision to remove Cuba from the list of state-sponsors of terrorism. Namibia has consistently advocated for the removal of Cuba from the list, deeming it arbitrary, unjust and with no basis in international law. The removal of Cuba from the list is without doubt a step in the right direction toward normalisation of relations between Cuba and the United States,” he said.
Mbumba however, stressed that this positive step is insufficient without further measures to address lingering issues.
“This step should be followed by tangible actions by the US Government to end the unjust and illegal economic blockade against Cuba,” he added.
Namibia has been a vocal supporter of Cuba on the global stage, championing the Caribbean nation’s rights and fostering strong bilateral ties.
According to the President, the removal of Cuba from the US terrorism sponsor list marks a significant milestone in diplomatic relations. It could potentially lead to the easing of long-standing economic restrictions.
The speaker of Namibia’s National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, also celebrated the Biden Administration’s decision.
During a session on April 16, 2024, the National Assembly unanimously urged the U.S. government to reconsider Cuba’s previous designation, recognizing its role in counterterrorism and advocating for a peaceful, constructive future.
“This is a victory for Cuba, the U.S., and the international community,” he said in his statement.
Katjavivi also assured Cuba of Namibia’s support for its sovereignty, progress in key sectors, and the island nation’s removal of the economic blockade.