Falana Exhort Africa to Back Cuba at UN, Demands End to US Sanctions
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has urged African countries to rally behind Cuba and vote against United States sanctions and the long-running embargo when the issue comes before the United Nations this week. According to The Guardian Nigeria, he made the call on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
What Falana said
The Guardian Nigeria reports that Falana wants African states to vote against the measures during UN deliberations scheduled for October 27 and 28, 2026. He argued that the sanctions have caused severe hardship for Cuban people and undermined their fundamental rights.
Falana traced Cuba’s ties with Africa to the 1959 Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro, according to the paper. He said Cuba’s solidarity became a cornerstone of its foreign policy, and that its contribution went beyond military help to health, education and development.
On the legal basis of the sanctions and proposed tariffs, Falana cited a US Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources, Inc. The Guardian’s excerpt does not give his full argument. In February, Sahara Reporters quoted him saying the power to impose tariffs lies exclusively with the US Congress.
Earlier appeals
Falana has made similar appeals this year. Blueprint reports that at a solidarity event in Abuja in February, organised by the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba, he condemned threats of regime change against Cuba and said “our friend must not suffer.” Sahara Reporters says he accused the US of using sanctions to pursue regime change in Cuba and Venezuela.
Sahara Reporters also says he warned that a prolonged embargo could cause a humanitarian crisis, and that he urged friendly oil producers such as Nigeria, Algeria, Angola and South Africa to sell oil to Cuba.
The other side
EWN reports that US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Cuba in January, claiming the country poses a threat to US national security and foreign policy. EWN adds that UN special rapporteurs have described the situation in Cuba as a humanitarian crisis, while Cuba’s ambassador to South Africa says Washington is trying to stoke an internal rebellion. No US response to Falana’s latest remarks was found in the sources reviewed.
Background on the UN vote
TimesLive carries an opinion piece by Ronnie Kasrils noting that the General Assembly vote on a resolution condemning the economic embargo is the 34th and takes place on October 27 and 28. The Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba commended the UN for 33 consecutive years of such resolutions, according to National Record.
Quick timeline:
- January 2026: Trump imposes sanctions on Cuba, per EWN.
- February 2026: Falana backs Cuba at an Abuja solidarity event.
- October 25, 2026: Falana urges Africa to vote against the sanctions.
- October 27 to 28, 2026: UN General Assembly deliberations and vote.
What happens next
The outcome of the UN vote will show how African states position themselves. The sources reviewed do not say how individual African governments, or Nigeria, will vote. Watch official UN records for confirmed results.
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