Watch CBS News

Obama & Castro To Share Stage At Mandela's Memorial

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Two presidents of countries that barely speak to each other will share the stage at the memorial service for the late Nelson Mandela.

The memorial service is scheduled to last four hours and will feature multiple foreign dignitaries. The first to speak will be U.S. President Barack Obama and the final foreign dignitary scheduled to speak will be Cuban President Raul Castro.

The U.S. President and the Cuban President haven't shared a stage in decades, although President Bill Clinton ran into Fidel Castro in the 1990's during speeches at the United Nations.

Among the other dignitaries scheduled to speak are: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, Namibian President Hifikepunye Phamba, and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Castro's speech will be followed by the keynote address scheduled to be given by South African President Jacob Zuma.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.