Namibia has condemned the decision by United States (US) president Donald Trump to reinstate Cuba on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, describing it as a setback for diplomatic progress.
In a media statement earlier this week, executive director of international relations and cooperation Penda Naanda described the move as disappointing, saying it contradicts former US president Joe Biden’s decision on 14 January to remove Cuba from the list.
Naanda said the reinstatement does not reflect a genuine effort to combat terrorism, but instead serves as a tactic to delay the normalisation of diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba.
“The US and Cuba must pursue dialogue as a means to resolve longstanding political differences. International relations must be guided by cooperation and not by threats and unilateral coercive measures,” he said.
He encouraged the US to adopt a positive foreign policy approach to Cuba to foster peaceful coexistence between the neighbouring nations.
The executive director reiterated Namibia’s commitment to principles of international diplomacy and urged the US to reconsider its stance.
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