Cuba, Somalia re-establish diplomatic ties after decades

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Cuba and Somalia have re-established diplomatic ties and vowed to work together for the mutual benefit of the citizens of the two nations.

This is the first time that the two countries are re-establishing diplomatic relations for the first time since severing ties in the 1970s.

While receiving the diplomatic credentials of the new Cuban Ambassador to Somalia Juan Manuel Rodriguez in Mogadishu, the Federal Government of Somalia’s Foreign Affairs minister Abshir Mohamed Haruse said the two countries will continue to cooperate in various development areas.

“We received the new ambassador who conveyed a message to the Cuban leaders that the two countries should resume diplomatic relations based on cooperation and mutual respect,” said Mr. Haruse.

Diplomatic relations between Somalia and Cuba began in 1972 and were suspended in 1977 following a diplomatic tiff after Somalia accused Cuba of planning a joint attack on the country with the Soviet Union and neighboring Ethiopia.