The debate scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the African Union summit on Israel’s accreditation to the organization as an observer has been “suspended”. The 55 member countries of the AU are torn on this issue.
“The issue of Israel has been suspended for the time being and instead a committee will be set up to study the issue,” said one of the diplomats interviewed.
Gathered since Saturday in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia as part of the 35th summit of the African Union, the heads of state of 55 countries on the African continent have begun discussions on several themes: recent coups, the situation in the Sahel. .. But these talks were marked by the statement of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. He wants the AU to withdraw the accreditation granted to Israel last July so that the Jewish state can take part in the discussions.
An “undeserved reward”
Describing this accreditation as an “undeserved reward” because of the abuses committed, according to him, by Israel against the Palestinians.
“Israel should never be rewarded for its violations and for the apartheid regime it imposes on the Palestinian people, ” added Mohammed Shtayyeh, using a formula from an Amnesty International report published this week.
AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat’s decision in July to accredit Israel sparked strong protests among several powerful member states, including South Africa and Algeria. In Addis Ababa, the two countries recalled that it went against the declarations of the organization supporting the Palestinian Territories.
A committee soon to be created
This postponement of the debate on the accreditation of Israel avoids a possible vote on this decision taken in July by the chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, which, according to many analysts, could have caused an unprecedented split in the history of the AU, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Shortly before, in his opening speech at the summit, Moussa Faki had defended his choice and called for ” a serene debate”.
He assured that the AU’s commitment to the Palestinians’ “quest for independence” was ” unchanging and can only continue to grow stronger “. But the accreditation of Israel can constitute, according to him, ” an instrument at the service of peace”.
Following these new tensions, a committee will be created on this controversial subject among the 55 member states, diplomatic sources.
