Ethio-Cuba Relation
Ethiopia and Cuba
Diplomatic Relations
Ethiopia and Cuba have longstanding and historical diplomatic relations
going back to the period of the Derg Regime. Cuba and Ethiopia established
diplomatic relations on July 18, 1975. Cuba opened an embassy in Addis Ababa in
1975; While Ethiopia opened an embassy in Havana in 1977.
It was under the strong leadership of
former president Fidel Castro that Cuba became among few countries that stood
alongside Ethiopia during the invasion of Ethiopia by Somalia from 1977-1978.
During this invasion 163 heroic men and women of Cuba paid the ultimate
sacrifice to fulfill their mission entrusted on them to preserve Ethiopia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity. A monument has been erected to the
fallen heroes and heroines of Cuban internationalism in the heart of Addis
Ababa, in the Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park on Churchill Road.
The collaboration between both countries has been strong with several
agreements signed between the two countries. A framework agreement on Economic,
Scientific and Technical Cooperation was signed in September 1999. Following
this agreements five joint commission meeting was held between the two
countries. And new joint consultation meeting agreement was signed in 13th
June 2006. For the last 30 years, Cuba has provided full scholarships for some
4000 Ethiopian students to study and train in different universities and higher
institutions in various disciplines. Significant numbers of Cuban experts are
working in education and health sectors in Ethiopia.
High Level visit from Cuba to Ethiopia
President Fidel Castro Visited Ethiopia two times during the period of
the Derg Regime. At the ministerial level General Raul Castro, Mr. Alsero Mele
Meyerk, Former Foreign Minister, Mr. Giyerm Fereyes, Peoples Council &
Council of Ministers also visited Ethiopia in the same period.
A delegation led by Esteban Lazo Hernandez, vice President of Cuba
Republic visited Addis Ababa in December 2007.
The delegation led by Esteban Laze Hernandez had also made an official
visit to Ethiopia In July 2011. During this visit he held bilateral discussion
with President Girma W/Georigis and Hailemariam Desalegn, Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Bruno Rodriguze Parrilla, Minister of Cuban Foreign Affairs, visited
Ethiopia in Nov 2013, and had bilateral discussion with Hailemariam Desalegn,
Prime Minister; Dr. Mulatu Teshome, President of FDR of Ethiopia, and Dr.
Tewoderos Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Abadula Gemeda, speaker of the
House of People’s Representatives, and Demeke Mekonen, Deputy Prime Minister of
Ethiopia.
Salvador Valdes Mesa, Vice President of Cuba, visited Ethiopia in
January 2017 and had bilateral discussion with Dr.Mulatu Teshome, President of
Ethiopia, Haile Mariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonen,
Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Abadula Gemeda, speaker of the House of
Representatives.
The delegation led by Vice President Salvador valdes Mesa also visited
Ethiopia in May 2019, and had bilateral discussions with Ato Gedu Andargachew,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
High Level visit from Ethiopia to Cuba
A delegation led by Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Ethiopia conducted an official visit to Cuba in 2003.
Dr, Tekeda Alemu, state Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Cuba in
November 2008 and had bilateral discussion with his Cuban counterpart,
A delegation led by Abadula Gemeda, Former speaker of the House of
People’s Representatives visited Cuba in 2012 and had a bilateral discussion with
his Cuban counterpart.
Tewoderos Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Cuba in June 2016
and had bilateral discussion with deputy president of Cuba, Minister of Foreign
Affairs & Investment. He also signed an agreement on a joint consultation
meeting that replaces the terminated joint commission with the Cuban Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Dr. Mulatu Teshome, President of Ethiopia participated at the funeral the ceremony of the late President Fidel Castro at the end of 2016.
The 40th Anniversary of Ethio-Cuban friendship and diplomatic relations
was marked in Addis Ababa with various events from October 10 to 15th 2018.
