Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s five-country African tour “is one of the most extensive trips by an Israeli foreign minister to Africa in recent years.” He has used the occasion to call for a greater role for Africa in the Arab-Israeli peace process:
Avigdor Lieberman addresses the Ethiopian-Israel Economic Forum in Addis Ababa, 09/02/09
Lieberman on Wednesday [September 2nd] said Africa should help moderate Arab positions to solve the Middle East crisis[...]
“Africa’s ties with Arab and Muslim countries, whether within the framework of the Arab League, the Islamic Conference or the African Union, place the countries of Africa in a position to contribute positive influence.
“We look to Africa to help promote moderation and reconciliation in the Middle East.”
Many African countries, often cajoled by Libya whose leader Moamer Kadhafi currently holds the African Union chairmanship, have traditionally backed Palestinians in their conflict with Israel.
Kadhafi accused Israel Monday of being “behind all of Africa’s conflicts” during a special AU summit in Tripoli.
“Indeed, within the African Union itself it is very important that the decisions and activities of African states reflect a positive and constructive approach, one that rejects one-sided decisions against Israel,” Lieberman said.
Yesterday in Nigeria, Lieberman received a message in return:
Nigeria’s foreign minister said on Tuesday Israel must do more to achieve peace in the Middle East if it wants improved diplomatic and business ties with Africa’s most populous country.
Ojo Maduekwe and his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman, on a two-day visit to Nigeria’s capital Abuja, signed an economic agreement for both countries to work more closely on trade, agriculture and infrastructure development.
“We urge you to do a lot more for peace then you have done now,” Maduekwe said after a signing ceremony.
“If there is peace, we will sign more. If there is no peace, it will be difficult to sign more agreements.”
Maduekwe said Nigeria was “frustrated” with the violence in the Middle East and suggested Israel turn to African countries for help in resolving the crisis.
“Every solution has been tried except the African solution … perhaps we can provide more traction in that process,” Maduekwe said.
Reuters goes on to say that Israel may sign an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) while Lieberman is in Nigeria. It seems then that Lieberman’s trip will boost Israel’s economic position in Africa, but Maduekwe’s statement suggests it will be harder for Israel to improve its political position on the continent.
I’m actually working on a conference paper about how the Arab-Israeli conflict played out in Northern Nigeria in the period just before and after independence, so I’m following these developments with interest. To give a rough historical outline of the relationships, from the late 1950s through 1967, Israel’s diplomatic position in Africa was strong, and despite African leaders’ objections to the Six Days’ War it was not until 1973 that a majority of African nations severed ties with Israel. Israel rebuilt some relationships on the continent in the 1980s and afterwards, and restored ties with Nigeria and many other countries by the early 1990s. So Israel is not cut off from Africa. This effort by Lieberman, however, does appear to herald a renewed effort at engagement. I wonder where it will lead.
Israel is affraid of the Libyan money influence in Africa.
This israeli initiative in Nigeria is the beginning of a israeli policy to thwart this Libyan influence. The King of kings is rash.
Thanks for stopping by. Several of the articles I read mentioned this point, and I definitely think it’s a big factor, especially with Qaddhafi as chair of the AU. Do you think the Israelis will succeed in countering Libyan influence?
It will succed if they give more money than Gadhafi. Today, money commands on Africa because of the poorness.
What do you think of the Nigerian foreign minister’s comments to Lieberman?
Ojo Maduekwe has never had anything reasonable to say in response to any relevant issue. His statements are representative of his own limited knowledge and not of the Nigerian foreign policy. it is unfortunate he occupies the position he does. African solution? did he at least give an outline of what that could be?
Funny man!
Look at the western countries, the same thing, they are kissing Gadhafi hands because of the petrol. Africa isn’t an exception.
All the african governments will say the same, because they are embarrassed by the Isreali policy with palestinians, but that didn’t prevent him to sign the agreement.
Do you think this trip will strengthen Israel’s position in Africa politically, then, or just economically? And how do you think Qaddhafi will respond?
Mauritania is an example. The Israeli embassy was attacked in spite of the official recognition of the State and in spite of the money which Israel brings to Mauritanian. Israel can gain States but not peoples, and that is the essence of the problem. And Gadhafi always has the trump card to be able to bring more that the others, and it is probably what he will make.
It is my tour now to ask a question. Because your blog is on Sahel, why you never approach the question of the Western Sahara which has an important influence on the situation in the Sahel?
Well, thanks for answering my questions, you’re giving me a lot to think about!
As for the Western Sahara, I haven’t written about it yet because I don’t know enough about it to feel capable of writing something strong on the subject. I have started looking at your blog – what else do you recommend reading? I’m happy to look at anything in Arabic too.