Botswana has frowned at a decision by the African Union (AU) which granted observer status to the State of Israel.
Botswana’s Ministry of international affairs and cooperation in a statement said the AU failed to consult with all Member states before deciding on such a “sensitive matter.”
In the statement dated 1st August, 2021, Botswana also cited “the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine,” which recently led to an offensive between the two warring neighbours as the more reason why AU should have allowed for a general consensus.
The New Diplomat reports Israel had on July 22, 2021 rejoined the African Union as an observer state.
Israel which has existing relations with about 46 African countries and territories was an observer state with the defunct Organization of African Unity (OAU) in the past. But it lost the status in 2002, when the organization transited to the African Union (AU), following its change in nomenclature.
The statement by Botswana’s Ministry of International Affairs reads: “The Government of Republic of Botswana has noted with concern, the unilateral decision by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to receive credentials from the Ambassador of the state of Israel and grant Israel observer status at the African Union (AU).
“Moreover, the government of Botswana maintains that the continued occupation of Palestine by the State of Israel goes against the letter and spirit of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, as well as its obligation to respect and implement the respective Resolutions of the United Nations.
“Botswana wishes to reiterate its unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian Authority against Israeli occupation.”
