Faki had granted the Israeli regime the status in 2021, sparking an outcry across the pan-African bloc and vehement protests from key members, Algeria and South Africa. As a result, last year's AU summit suspended a debate on whether to withdraw the accreditation of Israel, and established a committee of heads of state to address the issue. The regime accused what it called a "small number of extremist states like Algeria and South Africa" of being behind the move. South Africa, however, has roundly rejected the claim, saying Tel Aviv's application for observer status at the AU has not been decided upon by the bloc. "So, it's not about South Africa or Algeria, it's an issue of principle," he added.

Source: Ethiopian News February 20, 2023 05:49 UTC