Officials announced on Thursday that Israel has officially been granted observer status in the African Union, a goal that Israeli diplomats have been working to achieve for nearly two decades. The Israeli ambassador to Ethiopia, Aleli Admasu, presented his credentials as an observer to the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, at the organization's headquarters in Addis Ababa, according to statements from both sides.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid stated in a press release, "This is a day of celebration for Israeli-African relations." The statement added that the observer status will enable Israel to assist the African Union more effectively in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and terrorism.
Previously, Israel held observer status in the Organization of African Unity, but after the organization was dissolved in 2002 and replaced by the African Union, its attempts to regain this status were thwarted. Lapid remarked, "This corrects the abnormal situation that has existed for nearly two decades and is an important part of enhancing Israel's foreign relations fabric." He added that this step "will help us strengthen our activities on the African continent and with the member states of the organization."
Lapid's statement noted that Israel currently has relations with 46 African countries and "has extensive partnerships and joint cooperation in various fields, including trade and aid."
Palestine also holds observer status in the African Union, and recent statements from the African Union regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have caused concern for Israel. In May, Faki condemned the "bombardment" by Israel on the Gaza Strip as well as the "violent assaults" by Israeli security forces at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stating that the Israeli army acts "in flagrant violation of international law." Usually, the tone of the Union's statements at its annual summits tends to support the Palestinians.
Faki took advantage of the African Union summit in 2020 to denounce former U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Middle East, claiming that the plan "trampled the rights of the Palestinian people," which earned applause in the main hall of the African Union.
In his statement on Thursday, Faki emphasized that the African Union "has been very clear in its position (...) that the two-state solution is essential for peaceful coexistence." Eba Kalondo, spokesperson for Faki, mentioned that there are currently more than 70 non-African embassies and NGOs accredited to the African Union.
