Rhode Island event discusses Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau freedom fight

Pawtucket, RI — Surrounded by exhibits about the immigration of Cape Verdeans to the U.S. and their rich history of struggle, dozens of people attended a June 28 discussion at the Cape Verdean Museum here on Pathfinder’s new book Cuba and the Independence War in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde: The Fall of the Last Colonial Empire in Africa by Cuban revolutionary leader Víctor Dreke. 

Abel Djassi Amado, a professor at Simmons University in Boston, speaking in front of a photo of Amílcar Cabral, leader of independence fight, and Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, was part of a panel discussing the independence struggle and the little-known contribution of Cuban internationalist volunteers. In 1967-68 Dreke headed Cuba’s military mission in Guinea-Bissau, where he worked closely with Amílcar Cabral, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which led the war that put an end to 500 years of Portuguese colonial rule there. That victory triggered the collapse of Portugal’s entire empire in Africa and brought down the decaying fascist dictatorship in Portugal.

The audience viewed a video greeting from Dreke. “We’re honored to hear of your interest in learning about the part of African history that is told in this book,” he said. “Cuba has been tied to the African liberation movement since the Jan. 1, 1959, victory of the Cuban Revolution.”

Photo credit: Lisa Hickler

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