Relations between Cuba and Tanzania, an example of friendship among nations

by María Josefina Arce

The authorities of Cuba and the United Republic of Tanzania describe the relations between the two countries as special, forged in the great friendship between the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and the founder and first president of the Tanzanian nation, Julius Nyerere.

These ties have found their greatest expression in more than 60 years of sustained solidarity cooperation, particularly in the areas of health, education and agriculture.

Cuban health professionals have been instrumental in this African nation's fight against malaria, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted to humans through the bite of the infected Anopheles mosquito, which has a high incidence in the so-called black continent.

Over the past 20 years, Tanzania has made significant progress in reducing the number of cases of this potentially fatal disease.

The Cuban business group LABIOFAM's assistance in the creation of the biolarvicide factory in the city of Kibaha, whose products are now marketed in eight countries, stands out in this effort.

Cuba has also contributed to the training of doctors in Tanzania, where a medical school staffed by Cuban professors has been operating on the island of Zanzibar since 2007.

In the field of education, the implementation in this African state of the Cuban literacy method "Yo sí puedo" (Yes, I can), internationally recognized for its efficiency and economy, is also noteworthy.

There is a fluid dialogue between the two nations and a large exchange of high-level visits. Last January, Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa traveled to Tanzania, where he met with government officials and expressed his willingness to continue developing relations. This new meeting between the authorities of the two nations allowed the Greater of the Antilles to reiterate its gratitude to Tanzania for its constant support of the Cuban struggle against the genocidal U.S. blockade.The relations between Cuba and Tanzania are an example of friendship and solidarity between two peoples.

The words of the Tanzanian Prime Minister, who affirmed that "in Cuba we feel as if we were in our other homeland," are an example of the historic and intimate bond that exists between the two countries.