By Noah Fishman

Late on the night of 23 November 2024, Fidel Castro issued a radio address stating that “the great Queen Elizabeth” has attempted to broker a “special friendship” with Cuba.

Castro flagrantly rejected this offer in said release, stating, “But we know what friendship with the west brings, not riches…. Not freedom… but betrayal and slavery to their ways and their needs and their whims. It is no friendship and nothing that we want… Cuba is strong enough without your help. Cuba is prosperous enough without your special friendships!”

In the Security Council, a motion to bring in the Congolese National Army (CNA) Representative as a party to the dispute in a question and answer period. This motion passed. Immediately following this motion, and after appropriate amendments, Representative Jack Asmus of the United States moved for a 40 minute consultative session, bringing in two Parties to the Dispute: Representatives from the Katanga and Congo-Stanleyville governments individually for 20 minutes each. The President closed debate and the motion passed.

The Representative of the Republic of the Congo did not accept points of inquiry from any Representatives, and remained as an observing and debating member. Representative Rajitha Velakaturi of Ceylon moved for a 20 minute consultative session. The vote passed, with only Liberia abstaining. 

Additionally, the Representative of the Congo asserted that the Republic of the Congo would block humanitarian efforts for a cease fire unless Katanga remains a part of the country. “The biggest issue that we’re facing is a threat to security and political instability,” said Representative Asho Aden of the Republic of the Congo. “We want to be united as one, Katanga needs to be a part of the Congo. If you want humanitarian aid to flow in it would have to be through other ways than secession.”