Windhoek, January 13 (RHC) -– The Swapo Youth League (SPYL) secretary, Dr Elijah Ngurare, has called on African youth movements to stand in solidarity with Cuba until the 50-year U.S. blockade is fully lifted, AllAfrica newspaper reported.

Ngurare's comments follow the announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama in mid-December, saying the U.S. plans to relax trade sanctions against Cuba.

Ngurare said the end of the 50-year economic sanctions on Cuba is a victory which should be attributed "to Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro and the undying militancy of the Cuban people."

The Cuban people spilled blood for Namibia's freedom, “therefore it is our historic obligation to join hands with the youth of Cuba," Ngurare said.

Economic sanctions have been in place since 1960, two years after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. It was extended to include almost all imports in 1962 after the Cuban Missile Crisis, though in 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama relaxed the travel ban for Cuban-Americans.

He added that such an historic milestone has a far-reaching impact on Southern Africa, especially on Namibia. "It has often been said that "the blood of Africa flows in the veins of Cuba.  It is notable that the 50-year blockade imposed on Cuba is gradually being relaxed by the first-ever African American President Barack Obama," he said.

Ngurare recalled that during the liberation struggle of Namibia, it was Cuba which sent troops to fight alongside SWAPO's PLAN and MPLA's FAPLA to defeat apartheid South African troops invading Angola.

The decisive battle of Quito Cuanavalle was the turning point, which saw the defeat of South African Defense Force troops.