African Union Affirms Israel's Observer Status, Part 2
In Part 1 of this two-part piece, we looked at the decision by the African Union (AU) on February 6, 2022, to postpone its vote on whether to maintain Israel’s newly granted observer status in the AU. We also examined portions of the AU Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat’s statement at the gathering of African heads of states in which he defended his decision to grant Israel observer status in July 2021. Mr. Mahamat also chastised his detractors for overstepping their status in the AU and called out the hypocrisy of those African nations who had diplomatic relations with Israel but wanted to deny the collective African continent from enjoying a similar relationship with the Jewish State.
This piece delves further into the AU’s decision and considers the potential impact of Israel’s status on the US for peace and prosperity for Africa.
In a statement reflecting on the postponement of the vote regarding Israel’s observer status, newly elected Chairman of the AU President Macky Sall of Senegal announced that a special committee comprising the heads of eight countries had been tasked to consult with member states. The purpose of the consultations is to establish consensus on Israel’s status, a matter which had been reported to divide leaders of the African continent. This committee is to present its recommendations to the AU at its 2023 summit, following which a vote will be had.
It has been reported that this committee will include South Africa and Algeria (who led the charge for Israel to be stripped of its observer status), Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (who supported Mr. Mahamat’s decision to grant Israel observer status), and Senegal. Cameroon has asked to be on the committee, while South Africa has requested the inclusion of Nigeria.
In order to fully appreciate the unfortunate division on Israel’s presence at the AU, the direct result of the presence of Israel’s enemies on the continent, we must travel back into history to understand Israel’s previous presence on the African continent and in the AU.
Israel enjoyed observer status at the AU’s predecessor - the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which was established in 1963. During this time, Israel had more than 30 embassies across the African continent. However, when the OAU was dissolved in 2002 and the AU was established, Israel was not granted observer status due to threats by then Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to withhold Libyan financial support from the body. Israel’s successful admission to the AU in 2021 followed several previous unsuccessful requests - the last being in 2013 and 2016.
Non-African states with observer status can participate in the opening and closing sessions of AU summits, participate in the open sessions of the AU’s Peace and Security Council, participate in some of the activities of the AU, get limited access to AU documents, and may be invited by the AU Commission Chairperson to participate in meetings and make statements. Non-members states with observer status cannot, however, vote.
The Palestinian Authority has enjoyed observer status since 2013 and is amongst the over 90 non-African states that enjoy observer status at the AU. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has addressed the AU on no less than two occasions in 2018 and again in 2019.
Israel’s status with the AU must thus extend beyond the AU’s views on the politics of the Middle East; it must reflect how Israel’s presence can further the AU’s vision - an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in [the] global arena. Africa is now regarded as the eye of the global terrorism storm. Top priority should thus arguably be whether Israel can positively impact the AU’s efforts to achieve peace and security across the continent. Israel’s status as a leading expert in counter-terrorism is but one of its proven capacity to help African countries achieve peace and security.
In 2022, the Israeli diplomatic reality on African soil is as follows:
44 members of the AU have diplomatic relations with Israel;
17 members of the AU have opened Embassies in Tel Aviv;
12 members of the AU have opened General Consulates in Israel; and
numerous members of the AU have “opened their markets and economic space to Israeli enterprises and signed Cooperation Agreements in fields as varied and sensitive as: Education/Training, Defence, Security, Intelligence, Nuclear Cooperation, Agriculture, Technological Innovations, Health, Economy and Finance”
The State of Israel’s positive impact on the African continent has borne fruit from the establishment of its first relations with newly decolonized African states in the 1950s and 1960s. Establishing its first base in Nairobi, Kenya in 1958, Israel created the Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) to support the emerging independent African states. Through this and other subsequent programs, Israel sent aid workers, military advisers, and its know-how to African states, helping them create much-needed infrastructure. MASHAV remains active in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
According to a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, the silence of the majority of AU member states regarding Israel’s observer status revealed the growing influence of Israel’s presence in Africa. Individuals, communities, organizations, and nations that love Africa and wish to see her peaceful, secure, and prosperous have been given one year to strengthen already existing Africa-Israel relationships.
Come 2023, African countries that have diplomatic, trade, cultural and other ties with Israel must be empowered to translate these ties into the political courage to confirm Israel’s place in the AU as an observer. IBSI will play an active role through its P.E.A.C.E. Initiative in making this a reality.