Issue

Vol. 49 No. 1 (2024): Africa Development

1 - Soft Power Diplomacy

Analytical and Conceptual Contextualization of Cuba’s Peregrination in Africa
https://doi.org/10.57054/ad.v49i1.5613
Kekgaoditse Suping
Department of Political & Administrative Studies, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
Korwa Gombe Adar
Department of International Relations, United States International University-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

Corresponding Author(s) : Kekgaoditse Suping

ksuping@gmail.com

Africa Development, Vol. 49 No. 1 (2024): Africa Development

Abstract

For decades, and despite sanctions and turbulent relations with major international actors since the 1960s, Cuba has managed to assert itself in the international system. A small island with very limited natural resources, Cuba leveraged its international affairs on its provision of healthcare. This article investigates the role and impact of Cuban medical assistance in Africa. It proceeds from the premise that soft power has useful explanatory value in understanding the Cuba–Africa diplomatic intercourse. The article argues that despite its political ideology and limited political freedoms, Cuba established itself as a model and prominent player in the unique and consistent provision of healthcare and humanitarian assistance to the African continent, and in the development of Africa’s healthcare systems, for more than sixty years. It has also offered community-based healthcare training, which most African countries consider to be more relevant and cost-effective than hospital-based training. Furthermore, the Cuban training gave African medical students a shift in perspective and orientation to focus on public service, not profit-making. 

Keywords

Africa Cuba diplomacy medical doctors soft power community-based healthcare
[1]
Suping, K. and Adar, K.G. 2024. 1 - Soft Power Diplomacy: Analytical and Conceptual Contextualization of Cuba’s Peregrination in Africa. Africa Development. 49, 1 (Jul. 2024). DOI:https://doi.org/10.57054/ad.v49i1.5613.
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