Conflict in Africa came under the spotlight when the deputy presidents of South Africa and Cuba met for bilateral discussions in Pretoria on Friday.
Deputy president Jacob Zuma told reporters he had briefed his Cuban counterpart Carlos Lage about initiatives to eradicate conflict on the continent, with particular reference to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sudan and the Ivory Coast.
He also pointed out that Africa needed support in achieving peace and stability, but said he did not ask for help from Cuba specifically.
”Cuba has experience in helping historically in places where there have been troubles,” Zuma said. ”I am sure there is a lot we can learn from the Cuban experience.
”We are trying to get to countries who are able to provide that kind of help. But I think it would be a little unfair to say ‘please do what you can do’ when we know it (Cuba) is itself dealing with a situation that is very complex.”
Lage praised South Africa for the role it was playing in international affairs and for its stance on what he referred to as the United States’ ”criminal blockade” of his country.
He said his country did not have much experience in conflict — apart from ”one big conflict” with the US.
He described American sanctions against his country as ”imperialism applying a criminal policy of blockading … designed to block cash inflows so that they can yield our country by hunger and disease.”
US president George W Bush last month approved measures aimed at speeding the end of Cuban president Fidel Castro’s rule and hasten a ”transition to democracy”.
These included using US military aircraft to broadcast pro-democracy radio and television messages into that country.
The US also planned to further restrict cash remittances by Cubans residing in the US to relatives on the island state, and to limit family visits to Cuba.
Zuma said Cuba and South Africa shared membership of a number of international organisations, and generally agreed on issues like the importance of multi-lateralism and resolving problems through discussions.
”The strengthening of our relations helps to strengthen also what we consider to be the reasonable voice in these institutions,” he added.
The two leaders were also expected to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties, the global fight against terrorism, and south-south cooperation.
South Africa and Cuba established a joint bilateral commission in 2001. They have committed themselves to an action programme to advance and deepen bilateral commercial relations.
The two countries are collaborating in a number of fields, including health — with a number of Cuban doctors working in South Africa, and South Africans studying medicine in Cuba.
Lage was in South Africa for one day. ‒ Sapa