PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Surrounded by exhibits on the history of working people of Cape Verdean origin in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, more than 40 people attended a discussion on the new Pathfinder 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. The June 28 event was held at the Cape Verdean Museum here. Pawtucket is home to a large historic concentration of Cape Verdeans.
The panelists, from left, were Martín Koppel, co-editor of the book; Simmons University Professor Abel Djassi Amado; and moderator Joe DaMoura, director of the museum. They described the leadership capacity of Amílcar Cabral, who led the struggle that put an end to 500 years of Portuguese colonial domination in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, and the decisive role played by the 400 Cuban combatants and doctors who served alongside the African liberation fighters during their war for independence. The program was followed by a lively discussion.
The book is a firsthand account of this historic struggle told by Dreke, who headed Cuba’s internationalist mission in Guinea-Bissau and worked closely with Cabral.
The Militant will publish a more detailed report in the next issue.