US Embargo on Cuba: South Africa Joins Other Nations in Condemning America

[Judi Lynn]

US Embargo on Cuba: South Africa Joins Other Nations in Condemning America
By Anjalee Khemlani ([e-mail])
First Posted: Jul 26, 2014 03:27 PM EDT

South Africa is the latest to announce a solidarity campaign for Cuba, protesting the U.S. embargo.

"We should pay our solidarity to the cause of the Cuban people, reciprocate the solidarity they gave to us, and do that out of love and out of appreciation that we need each other," said Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe of the country's ruling African National Congress, according to Voice of America.

The announcement was met with some confusion -- questions arose of why the country is picking up the cause on the 50-year-old embargo.

Gideon Chitanga, a political researcher at the Center for Study of Democracy, told VOA that it is because the country is maturing as a democracy and may be ready to start engaging in global issues.

"More and more, South Africa is becoming a confident voice of the global South. So, the timing should be seen in terms of a South Africa which is asserting itself in the context of general global issues, but not to necessarily to say that this approach opposes the West," Chitanga said. "It's a policy that is based on calling for more engagement."

Mantashe said he intends to call on President Barack Obama to lift the blockade and release five intelligence spies -- known as the Cuban Five.

More:
http://www.latinpost.com/articles/18018/20140726/south-africa-joins-other-nations-in-condemning-u-s-embargo-on-cuba.htm

[jwirr]

1. IMO this embargo should never have lasted so long. I was watching news already back then and it

could have been avoided if Eisenhower had listened to Castro's request for help.

[Louisiana1976]

2. Good for South Africa. The embargo is a relic of the Cold War that has outlived its usefulness

and should have been lifted long ago.

[Zorro]

3. When will the Cuban government stop repressing its political opposition?

[dougolat]

4. Easing the Cold War measures might help that,

or at least take down the big excuse for it; could be a good thing, no?

[awoke_in_2003]

5. When will China, Viet Nam, and Russia?

All are trading partners.