The decision to admit Israel as an observer member has sparked an outcry within the African Union. The decision was announced on July 22 by the President of the African Commission, Chadian Moussa Faki.
In early August, seven African countries, including Algeria, publicly expressed their disapproval of the decision and called for the issue to be placed on the agenda of the next session of the Executive Council of the African body. .
They expressed their opposition to Israel’s acceptance as an observer member of the African Union, arguing that “the chairman of the AU commission has committed a procedural and political overstepping”.
The note was signed in Addis Ababa by the ambassadors of Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Mauritania and Libya. It was further supported by the embassies in Ethiopia of Kuwait, Jordan, Yemen and Qatar, as well as the delegation of the Arab League.
This Saturday, August 6, the president of the African Commission finally broke the silence to defend his decision, but also to reassure that it will not influence the support of the AU for the Palestinian cause.
“This decision falls within its total competence”
Moussa Faki Mahamat immediately recalls that “this decision falls within his total competence, without being bound by any prior procedural measure”.
He then explains that it was taken “on the basis of the recognition of Israel and the reestablishment of diplomatic relations by a majority greater than two-thirds of AU member states, and at the express request of many. of these in this sense ”.
Nevertheless, Moussa Faki assures that at the time of the presentation of the credentials of the representative of Israel to the AU, he reiterated to him “the unwavering commitment of the Pan-African organization to the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including its right to the creation of an independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital ”.
Contrary to the concerns expressed by the seven protesting countries including Algeria, the President of the African Commission expresses the hope that the admission of Israel will contribute to “strengthening the AU’s plea for the realization of the principle of two states. “.
Finally, and as requested by the seven countries, Moussa Faki announces his “intention” to put the issue on the agenda of the next Executive Council of the African Union.
