The AU has maintained a firm position of rejection of this unjust and long-standing policy against Cuba, which is consistent with its unanimous voting pattern within the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and other international forums.
Cuba and Africa have a long common history, which dates back to the arrival of African slaves to the Caribbean, who together with their descendants contributed to the creation of Cuban nationality and to the struggles against colonialism, neocolonialism and the building of an independent nation.
Cubans also supported national liberation struggles in Africa, against the apartheid regime and have participated for decades in cooperation initiatives in various sectors, including the education of tens of thousands of young people from that sister continent.
In the international arena, Cuba has supported the demands of Africa in favor of a fairer economic order, against racism and discrimination, for the reform of the UN Security Council and development, among other initiatives.