WINDHOEK, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has reiterated its call for Cuba's removal from unilateral lists that restrict its access to international financial mechanisms and development assistance.
Speaking Wednesday evening at a state-hosted solidarity gala dinner in Windhoek, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said no nation should be denied the opportunity to pursue development and prosperity because it has chosen an independent path.
"Constructive dialogue, mutual respect and international cooperation, rather than isolation, must remain our instruments for advancing global peace, justice and shared prosperity," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The president reminded the audience that when the Namibian people rose against foreign apartheid occupation, Cuba answered the moral call for justice.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the bond between Namibia and Cuba is not a matter of recent diplomatic convenience, but a friendship forged through shared sacrifice long before Namibia's independence.
According to the president, consistent with resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, and the Non-Aligned Movement, Namibia continues to call for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.
The event sought to raise humanitarian aid and medical supplies for the people of Cuba, which is facing severe economic challenges due to the restrictive commercial, economic and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government.
It marked the latest milestone in the Namibia National Solidarity Campaign for Cuba, an initiative that has generated more than 700,000 Namibian dollars (about 42,800 U.S. dollars) to procure vital medical supplies and direct relief for the Cuban population. ■