Accreditation of Israel to AU falls within sphere of competence of Chairperson of AU Commission

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, made it clear on Saturday that the accreditation of Israel to the African Union falls within his full “sphere of competence”.

“Following the decision to accredit the Representative of the State of Israel to the African Union, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat wishes to recall that this decision falls within his full sphere of competence, without being tied to any preliminary procedure,” the AU Commission said in a statement.

The statement was released in response to the few AU member countries which have objected to the decision to grant Israel observer status within the continental organization.

Moussa Faki Mahamat underlined that the decision was taken on the basis of the fact of the recognition of Israel and the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Middle Eastern country and a majority of more than two thirds of AU Member States. The decision was also made at the express demand of many AU Member States, he said.

While accepting this accreditation, the Chairperson reiterates, as he clearly stated at the time of the presentation of the credentials by the Permanent representative of Israel to the AU, the unflinching commitment of the Pan-African Organization to the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent National State, with East Jerusalem as its Capital, within the framework of a global, fair and definitive peace between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine, added the statement.

This reminder stems from the positions and principles, repeatedly underlined by the summits of the OAU then the AU.

The Chairperson of the Commission sincerely hopes that this accreditation will contribute to intensifying the AU’s support for the fulfillment of the principle of the two States and the restoration of peace, the statement noted.

On July 22, Israel’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Aleleign Admasu, presented his credentials as an observer member to the African Union