Foreign Minister Yair Lapid sent a video message emphasizing the importance Israel gives to rapprochement with African countries and institutions. Bourgel is responsible also for five other African countries, including Cape Verde, Guinea, Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Chad. Several of the speakers at the conference addressed Israel’s diplomatic achievement last summer, when it was accepted as an observer to the African Union. Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem told Al-Monitor that without the Abraham Accords and the ensuing change in Israel’s international status, this probably never would have happened. Still, Bar-Li is optimistic on the expansion of bilateral ties with many African countries.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 01, 2022 19:43 UTC