By Abiola Olawale
A former two-term President of Nigeria as well as a former military Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has formally written a letter to the President of the United States, Joe Biden, on the labelling of Cuba as a country sponsoring terrorism.
Obasanjo, in the letter, appealed to Biden to remove Cuba from countries listed as sponsoring terrorism globally.
Cuba was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021 by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The New Diplomat reports that the State Sponsor of Terrorism List (SSOT) is a foreign policy mechanism that sanctions countries deemed by the U.S. to have provided support for acts of international terrorism.
However, Obasanjo, in the letter, asserted that Cuba is dedicated to combatting terrorism.
The former Nigerian President noted that Cuba contributed greatly to the final liquidation of colonialism and apartheid in Africa.
The letter reads in part: “I have great pleasure in addressing this letter to you, Mr. President, in my capacity as former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has always advocated for peace, justice and the well-being of all nations.
“It has been brought to my attention that Cuba is currently listed by the United States as one of the countries supporting or sponsoring terrorism globally.
“As my interaction and relationship with the government and people of Cuba is concerned, especially during and after the time of Fidel Castrol, I want to appeal to you, President Biden, to reconsider Cuba’s inclusion on the list of countries supporting terrorism globally. I know and appreciate what contributions Cuba made to the final liquidation of colonialism and apartheid in Africa.
“I plead with you to act on the matter with compassion and empathy for the millions of Cuban citizens who are bearing the brunt of this inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries supporting terrorism globally.
“I thank you for your attention to this matter and trust that you will kindly give it due consideration.
“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
