ADDIS ABABA — For the seventeenth consecutive year, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union has adopted a resolution condemning the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba.
The resolution, passed during the Union’s annual summit, reiterates Africa’s longstanding opposition to the decades-long sanctions regime, describing it as a policy that has significantly affected the Cuban people and hindered the country’s socio-economic development for more than 60 years.
In a notable reaffirmation, the Assembly, for the third time, explicitly called for Cuba’s removal from the unilateral U.S. list of states allegedly sponsoring terrorism. African leaders emphasized that the designation is unjustified and inconsistent with the principles of fairness and sovereign equality among nations.
The continental body also voiced concern over the intensifying impact of the blockade, particularly as Cuba continues to navigate economic and social pressures linked to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic disruptions. Leaders denounced the extraterritorial application of U.S. sanctions, including the enforcement of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which allows legal actions over properties nationalized in Cuba and extends the reach of U.S. restrictions beyond its borders.
According to the adopted text, the resolution reaffirms the historical and solidarity ties between African nations and Cuba, rooted in shared struggles against colonialism and apartheid, as well as decades of cooperation in education, health, and technical assistance.
The African Union’s position aligns with repeated calls at the United Nations General Assembly, where an overwhelming majority of member states have consistently voted in favor of ending the blockade.
The latest resolution once again signals Africa’s collective stance in support of lifting the sanctions and advancing dialogue grounded in international law and mutual respect among nations.
