Cuba–Namibia relations
History
History
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In 1884 present\-day Namibia was colonized by [Germany](/wiki/Germany "Germany"). After [World War I](/wiki/World_War_I "World War I"), with the signing of the [Treaty of Versailles](/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles "Treaty of Versailles"), Germany was forced to transfer its territory to the [Union of South Africa](/wiki/Union_of_South_Africa "Union of South Africa") in 1920, which at the time was a self\-governing dominion of the [British Empire](/wiki/British_Empire "British Empire").[Namibia profile \- Timeline](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13891138) Namibia would be called *South West Africa* for the next 70 years. South West Africa was not allowed to be annexed by [South Africa](/wiki/South_Africa "South Africa"), rather it was governed as a mandated territory.

In 1961, South Africa became a republic and continued to govern Namibia under its [Apartheid](/wiki/Apartheid "Apartheid") rule. In 1966, [SWAPO](/wiki/SWAPO "SWAPO") launched an armed struggle against South African occupation which became known as the [South African Border War](/wiki/South_African_Border_War "South African Border War"). In 1975, [Cuba](/wiki/Cuba "Cuba") involved itself in the [Angolan Civil War](/wiki/Angolan_Civil_War "Angolan Civil War") by sending troops in support of the communist\-aligned [People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola](/wiki/People%27s_Movement_for_the_Liberation_of_Angola "People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola") (MPLA) against the pro\-western [National Union for the Total Independence of Angola](/wiki/National_Union_for_the_Total_Independence_of_Angola "National Union for the Total Independence of Angola") (UNITA). South African forces invaded Angola during [Operation Savannah](/wiki/Operation_Savannah_%28Angola%29 "Operation Savannah (Angola)") in support of the UNITA forces. In Angola, Cuban forces increased to 50,000 soldiers and fought along SWAPO soldiers against South African troops.[Independent a Year, Namibia Is Pragmatic at Home and Ideological Abroad](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/17/world/independent-a-year-namibia-is-pragmatic-at-home-and-ideological-abroad.html)

In December 1988, the [Tripartite Accord](/wiki/Tripartite_Accord_%281988%29 "Tripartite Accord (1988)") between Angola, Cuba and South Africa was signed at the [United Nations](/wiki/United_Nations "United Nations") in [New York City](/wiki/New_York_City "New York City"). The accords granted Namibia independence and called for the removal of Cuban troops from Angola. In March 1990, Namibia obtained its independence from South Africa. Soon afterwards, Cuba and Namibia officially established diplomatic relations and opened resident embassies.[Cuba y Namibia: hermanos «de sangre» (in Spanish)](https://www.granma.cu/mundo/2020-03-21/cuba-y-namibia-hermanos-de-sangre-21-03-2020-03-03-45)

In March 1991, Namibian President [Sam Nujoma](/wiki/Sam_Nujoma "Sam Nujoma") paid an official visit to Cuba and met with President [Fidel Castro](/wiki/Fidel_Castro "Fidel Castro"). While in Cuba, both nations signed a protocol agreement.[Un presente tejido con memoria (in Spanish)](http://www.comandanteenjefe.net/es/noticia/un-presente-tejido-con-memoria?width=600&height=600) In September 1998, Cuban President Fidel Castro paid an official visit to Namibia and met with President Sam Nujoma.[Viaje al Exterior (in Spanish)](http://www.fidelcastro.cu/es/viajes/sudafrica-namibia-y-brasil-1998) Since then, there have been numerous visits between leaders of both nations. In November 2016, Namibian President [Hage Geingob](/wiki/Hage_Geingob "Hage Geingob") paid a visit to Cuba to attend the [funeral of Fidel Castro](/wiki/Death_and_state_funeral_of_Fidel_Castro "Death and state funeral of Fidel Castro").[Namibian leaders hail historic role of Castro](http://www.namibia-botschaft.de/regierungs-mitteilungen/774-namibian-leaders-hail-historic-role-of-castro.html)

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Cuba has sent hundreds of doctors and other professionals in assist in Namibia's health, construction and educational sectors. In 2020, both nations celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations.[Cuba y Namibia celebran aniversario 30 de sus relaciones diplomáticas (in Spanish)](https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/es/articulo/cuba-y-namibia-celebran-aniversario-30-de-sus-relaciones-diplomaticas)


Why wasn't South Africa allowed to annex Namibia?