Issue no. 8
14 October 2021
On 22 July 2021 the African Union (AU) granted Israel an observer status. The decision attracted objections from a number of Member States.
Those that objected argue that the decision “was brought through the back door”.
South Africa and Tunisia are among those expected to place the debate on Israeli observer status, high on the agenda. Today the AU Executive Council (AUEC) meets for the first time since the decision was made.
The AUEC will be attended by Foreign Affairs Ministers from the Member States.
The Chairperson of the AU Mousa Faki Mahamet insists that it is within his rights to grant non-observer status to non-member states.
Rwanda, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo support Mehemet’s decision.
This meeting is critical for the future of the AU under the tenure of Faki Mousa Mahamet as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). It is also critical for bilateral relations particularly between Rwanda and South Africa.
Will Mehemet give in to the demands of those who object or dig in his heels?