Gabonese President Pays Tribute to Fidel and Jose Marti

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba continued his official visit to Cuba by paying homage to Jose Marti and Fidel Castro at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba Saturday.

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The African leader, who had previously met with Cuban President Raul Castro Friday, placed a bouquet of multicolored flowers at the tombstones of the two revolutionaries according to Prensa Latina. Standing before the monolith containing the ashes of Fidel, Bongo Ondimba expressed his gratitude to the leader of the Cuban Revolution who he said had been a faithful friend and ally of the people of Gabon, especially to his father, El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, and the African continent as a whole.

After his visit to Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, Bongo Ondimba said he had always wanted to visit the historic city of Santiago de Cuba, who he said was home to countless Cuban patriots and internationalists who sacrificed so much for the cause of independence, freedom and justice.

The Gabonese president will also the July 26 Museum, housed in the former Moncada Garrison, and the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square during his stay in the city. Bongo Ondimba's official visit to Cuba began on Friday evening when he met with Cuban President Raul Castro.

Granma reported that the two leaders, accompanied by other officials from their respective nations, emphasized their excellent bilateral relations and ratified terms to amplify and diversify cooperation between the two countries. They also spoke about international issues of mutual interest.

The Gabonese delegation was accompanied by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya, who was met by his Cuban counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.