After 46 years, Cuba resumes diplomatic relations with Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After over 46 years, Havana and Mogadishu have agreed to resume diplomatic relations, with the two nations confirming the positive development early this week, which is meant to boost the bilateral relationship between Cuba and the federal government of Somalia.

Abshir Omar Jama, Somalia's minister for foreign affairs, confirmed the diplomatic rapprochement in a Twitter post early this week. He said the relationship between the two countries will be governed by cooperation and mutual respect.

“Having established diplomatic relations between 1972-1977, we welcome the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba governed by cooperation and mutual respect,” he wrote.

Cuba’s ambassador to Somalia, Juan Manuel Rodriguez, was one of three ambassadors who submitted credentials to Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on Tuesday. Before being confirmed, Ambassador Rodriguez held a meeting with Jama.

“Honored to receive the credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Federal Republic of Somalia, Amb. Juan Manuel Rodriguez,” Jama said.

The new envoy is also Cuba's ambassador to the Republic of Kenya. Somalia and Cuba broke ranks in 1977 during the war between Ethiopia and Somalia over the Ogaden region with Fidel Castro sending troops to Ethiopia to assist the Soviet-backed administration against Somalia.

Somalia’s former foreign minister, Ahmed Isse Awad, said Somalia and Cuba do not share cultural and geographical relations but added the country cannot “self-imprison” to what happened in the past.

“If they [Cuba] sent us an ambassador and want to improve relations with us it’s gain,” Awad said. “I don’t think it’s in our interest to relive past hostility.” He said Somalia has been having a cordial relationship with Russia and Ethiopia lately.

Awad said when he was foreign minister in the previous Somali government, he was contacted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla about the two hostages. They were held captive from Mandera in northern Kenya and were driven to Al-Shabaab-controlled areas in Somalia.

“I used to tell them that they are safe, they have not been killed, and that they work as doctors for those who are holding them,” he said. He said he told Cuba that Somalia will, “to the best of our ability,” play a role in securing freedom for the two doctors.

The former minister said al-Shabab has not officially made any demands for the doctors. The group has previously released foreigners it held hostage after alleged ransom payments. Al-Shabaab is also losing ground in central and southern Somalia following operations launched by the federal government of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE