How Should Cuba's Foreign Policy Vis-À-Vis Africa Be Characterized?

1. How should Cuba’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Africa be characterized?
Cuba’s foreign policy in relation with Africa should be characterized as very strong. The historical and cultural root of the African continent and its significant stamp on the formation of the Cuban nationality is an important pillar in the actions of the foreign policy of Cuba (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, 2010). Cuba is a proud member of the African Diaspora and is acknowledged by the African Union as the sixth region (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, 2010). Cuba holds diplomatic relations with 53 of the 54 African states. Cuba also has 30 embassies in Africa, the latest embassy was established in Djibouti in 2011 (Ministry
Nelson Mandela stated that, “The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Africa. The Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice unparalleled for its principled and selfless character. We in Africa are used to being victims of countries wanting to carve up our territory or subvert our sovereignty. It is unparalleled in African history to have another people rise to the defense of one of us. The defeat of the apartheid army was an inspiration to the struggling people in South Africa!
Without the defeat of Cuito Cuanavale our organizations would not have been unbanned! The defeat of the racist army at Cuito Cuanavale has made it possible for me to be here today! Cuito Cuanavale was a milestone in the history of the struggle for southern African liberation! If today all South Africans enjoy the rights of democracy; if they are able at last to address the grinding poverty of a system that denied them even the most basic amenities of life, it is also because of Cuba's selfless support for the struggle to free all of South Africa's people and the countries of our region from the inhumane and destructive system of apartheid. For
The Cubans objected to this military operation because it would create the opportunity for a South African invasion, which is what transpired (Saney, 2012). After terrible human and material losses, the Angolans were forced into a hurried withdrawal to the town and strategic military base of Cuito Cuanavale (Saney, 2012). The Angolan Armed forces were placed in an extremely risky situation. If Cuito Cuanavale fell to South Africa then the rest of the country would be at their mercy (Saney, 2012). As the situation of the surrounded Angolan troops became critical, Havana was asked by the Angolan government to intervene. On 15 November 1987 Cuba decided to strengthen its forces. The Cuban commitment was immense. Fidel Castro stated that the Cuban Revolution had ‘put its own existence at stake’ (Saney, 2012); it risked a huge battle against one of the strongest powers located in the area of the Third World. The Cuban government viewed preventing the fall of Cuito Cuanavale as crucial as a South African victory would have not only meant the capture of the town and the destruction of the best Angolan military formations, but also the end of Angola's existence as an independent country (Saney, 2012). The Cuban revolutionary leadership deployed forces and employed a plan that would both put an end to South African aggression against Angola and deliver a