For the first time since 2002, Israel’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Aleleign Admasu, presented his credentials as an observer to the African Union, (AU).
This was disclosed in a statement published on Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website on Thursday.
The country promised to support the continental body in its fight against terror groups across the continent. African countries currently facing the challenges of terror groups are Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun, and Kenya.
“Following the formal establishment of Israel’s observer status with the African Union, the parties will be able to cooperate, among other things, in the fight against Corona and the prevention of the spread of extremist terrorism throughout the continent”, the statement partly read.
Reacting to the development, Israel’s Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid, stated that the country’s acceptance by the union would boost its bilateral relations with the continent.
“This is a day of celebration for Israel-Africa relations. This diplomatic achievement is the result of consistent work by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its African Division and Israeli embassies on the continent. This corrects the anomaly that has existed for almost two decades and is an important part of strengthening the fabric of Israel’s foreign relations. It will help us strengthen our activities on the African continent and with the member States of the organisation,” he stated, via social media.
On his part, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, confirmed receiving Admasu’s credentials.
Mahamat, according to a statement on AU’s website, said he used the opportunity to speak on the Palestine-Israeli conflict which had lasted for several decades.
He was of the view that the two-state solution was a sure path to peace for both countries.
