Namibia will intensify its efforts to strengthen support for Cuba, particularly in the areas of health, education, and the economy in general.

This was revealed by Eunice Iipinge, the president of the Pan African Women Organisation (PAWO), in an interview with our sister programme, Good Morning Namibia.

Namibia was once again reminded to strengthen its commitment to the Cuban revolution at the 7th African Continental meeting held in South Africa last week.

The conference, attended by delegates from more than 20 African countries, condemned the economic blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, the occupation by the US of Guantanamo Bay on Cuban land, and the inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries supporting terrorism.

Every year since 1992, the United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution for the lifting of the more than 0-year-old blockade, but nothing has happened. Thus, the conference has called for a robust action programme for the blockade to be lifted.

"We have decided to make these sanctions relevant to the programme of action. We call upon our countries to redouble their efforts to work with Cuba economically, in health, socially, and in education, as well as to encourage people to work with Cuba. To make sure that Americans operating on our land, which is liberated by Cuba, do not implement sanctions laws here on the African continent."

The conference also adopted a declaration for an annual Cuban solidarity focus week, culminating in the African Day in Solidarity with Cuba to be observed on March 23. Namibia will carry out action-oriented activities throughout that week, leading to a day to intensify its efforts by protesting at the American Embassy, calling for the lifting of sanctions, the withdrawal of the United States from Guantanamo Bay, and the removal of Cuba from the list of countries supporting terrorism.

"The conference decided to promote people-to-people solidarity; for instance, we need to campaign for finance; we decided to set up a fund to collect money to send to Cuba; we decided to collect food items, medical supplies, and writing pads for students. Because the Cuban people at this moment are in a difficult situation in terms of food, medicine, and everything."