In the framework of the 48th anniversary of the Cassinga massacre, His Excellency Mr Lebbius Tangeni Tobias, Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia, made his first official visit to the province of Ciego de Ávila to pay tribute to the eight Avilanians who offered their lives in defence of Namibian sovereignty and reaffirmed the unbreakable bonds of solidarity between the two peoples.

During the meeting, held in the Blue Hall of the Provincial Government, Governor Alfred Menéndez Pérez, as host, welcomed the diplomatic delegation.

Ambassador Tobias recognised the decisive support of Cuba in Namibia’s liberation process and highlighted the permanent backing of his party and his people for the largest island in the Antilles.

«It is very important to be in this province today to pay tribute to the fallen. The position of the government and people of Namibia will always be on the side of Cuba. The struggle continues, victory is certain,» the diplomat expressed.

During the exchange, Avilanian authorities offered the ambassador and his entourage an economic, political and social characterisation of the province. As part of strengthening bilateral ties, Tobias proposed establishing a twinning arrangement between Ciego de Ávila and a region of Namibia.

The meeting also served for Avilanian youths Alejandro and Carlos Enrique Espinosa Martínez to present the books Cassinga, the Truth of a Massacre, published by Verde Olivo Editorial in digital format on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the tragic event, and Guardians of Cassinga: The Epic of the Avilanians, published by Ediciones Ávila, a work by Dagoberto Massip and Yeniska Martínez.

The former sets out the facts to ensure that terrorist acts like this do not go unpunished; the latter chronicles the participation of the sons and daughters of this land and stands as a tribute to the brothers who offered their lives in defence of that sister nation.

During his tour of the province, His Excellency visited the Provincial Book Centre and the publishing house Ediciones Ávila, where he held a pleasant and fruitful dialogue.

There, a memorandum of understanding was delivered that will allow the people of Namibia to have an English-language version of this work. The text will be ready for editing and will be formally presented to the embassy after the month of August.

«May the sacrifice of Cassinga continue to be a bridge between these two nations,» stressed those present.