ABUJA — SUNTV Global Channel Report
Prominent Nigerian voices — human rights lawyer Femi Falana, activist Omoyele Sowore, and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola — have intensified calls for international action to end decades of economic sanctions imposed on Cuba, describing the measures as “economic suffocation.”
Speaking at a solidarity gathering in Abuja organised by the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, the trio urged African nations, alongside Mexico and Canada, to strengthen diplomatic and economic support for the island nation.
The event, themed “Cuba and All Countries Have the Right to Live,” drew attention to the humanitarian and political consequences of long-standing sanctions led by the United States.
Falana described Cuba as a historic ally to Africa, recalling its support for liberation struggles across the continent. He criticised Washington’s policies, warning they amount to collective punishment targeting ordinary citizens rather than governments.
The senior advocate also referenced concerns raised by the United Nations about the humanitarian impact of sanctions, particularly restrictions affecting oil supply, healthcare, and trade.
He further noted a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that reportedly limited emergency powers previously used to justify some sanctions.
Falana urged African governments and the African Union to move beyond symbolic resolutions and adopt concrete measures to support Cuba.
Sowore condemned foreign interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, stressing the country’s right to determine its political system independently.
Drawing parallels with Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, he praised Cubans for their resilience despite decades of economic pressure.
“Cuba’s survival under extreme pressure shows that sovereignty cannot be crushed by external forces,” he said.
Aregbesola urged the United States to remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, arguing that the designation worsens economic hardship and undermines global peace efforts.
He highlighted Cuba’s international medical missions, noting that thousands of Cuban doctors have provided life-saving care worldwide, including during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Falana also linked the Cuba issue to broader global justice concerns, describing Western Sahara as Africa’s last colony and criticising Morocco’s continued control of the territory.
Speakers at the event agreed that the prolonged sanctions risk triggering a humanitarian crisis and called for respect for international law, sovereign equality, and peaceful cooperation among nations.
The solidarity meeting concluded with a renewed pledge by participants to campaign globally for an end to the embargo and stronger diplomatic engagement with Cuba.
