At the invitation of His Excellency Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Prof. Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, paid an official visit, on December 8 and 9, 2024, to Havana, Republic of Cuba.
During this visit, His Excellency Prof. Robert DUSSEY took part in the Conference on the International Decade for People of African Descent, which takes place from December 9 to 13, 2024 in Havana on the theme: “Decade of Afro-descendants: Equality-Equity-Social Justice“.
The International Decade for People of African Descent was proclaimed on December 23, 2013 by the United Nations in order to promote the rights of people of African descent and combat racism and discrimination against them.
During the proceedings, Minister DUSSEY, President of the High Committee in charge of the 2021-2031 Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora of the African Union, praised Cuba’s leadership in the fight against racism and discrimination and deplored the lack of ardor of developed countries on this crucial issue. He indicated that racism has its roots in centuries of exploitation and enslavement of Africa and peoples with African roots, including through slavery, colonization and imperialism.
For Prof. DUSSEY, the fight against racism and discrimination requires African countries and those hosting populations of African descent to unite and pool their efforts to address their concerns with one voice in the face of this common cause. Above all, it involves redressing the historical injustices suffered by African populations and those of African descent. He said he was determined to continue mobilizing the countries concerned to finally engage the countries that practiced slavery and colonization in a serious, respectful and sincere dialogue.
On the sidelines of this Conference, His Excellency Prof. Robert DUSSEY was received in audience, on December 9, 2024, by the Vice-President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Salvador Valdés Mesa, to whom he conveyed the greetings of the Togolese Head of State, H.E. Mr. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE.
Minister DUSSEY also met with his Cuban counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and Mr. Alpidio Alonso Grau, Minister of Culture.
With the Minister of Culture, they discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between Togo and Cuba in the cultural field, including the review of the framework agreement relating thereto, and discussed the holding of the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé in 2025.
Issues relating to international issues and the state of cooperation between Togo and Cuba were at the center of discussions between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
With regard to international issues, the two ministers deplored the persistence of conflicts in the world, including in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and called on States to cooperate for its eradication.
Addressing the issue of the unilateral coercive measures taken by the United States against Cuba, Minister DUSSEY reaffirmed Togo’s support for the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on this country.
With regard to bilateral cooperation, Ministers DUSSEY and PARRILLA welcomed the excellent relations between their countries. They committed to working to strengthen them, particularly in the areas of health, education, agriculture, tourism and investment.
Furthermore, Prof. Robert DUSSEY, in tribute to José Marti, founder of the Cuban revolutionary party, national hero, who died in 1895 during the war of independence, laid a wreath at the foot of the monument erected in his memory during a solemn ceremony.
At the end of his stay, His Excellency Prof. Robert DUSSEY invited the Vice-President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Salvador Valdés Mesa, to take part in the 9th Pan-African Congress which will take place in 2025 in Lomé, Togo.
Done in Havana, December 9, 2024