African countries divided over Israel-Hamas conflict

African nations have been divided over which side to support in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but African leaders have still unanimously called on warring parties to halt deadly confrontations that erupted on 7 October when the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise assault.

With the African Union (AU) having been divided over the Israel-Palestine issue and also over granting Israel observer status at the continental body, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has found himself in a tight spot when he sought to word a balanced statement that the organization “calls on the international community, and the major world powers in particular, to assume their responsibilities to impose peace and guarantee the rights of the two peoples” in Israel and Palestine.

Indeed, Africa as a whole has also been divided over the Israel-Palestine issue. Hence, while Sudan, Djibouti and South Africa have been clear about their support for the Palestinians, Zambia, Kenya and Ghana quite explicitly condemned Hamas and expressed their support for Israel.

This shows that despite Israel’s growing diplomatic ties with African nations in the last decade and plans by several African countries to move their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel has not fully consolidated its support in the continent in this latest conflict.

“Kenya strongly maintains that there exists no justification whatsoever for terrorism which constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security,” President William Ruto said in a statement. ”All acts of terrorism and violent extremism are abhorrent, criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of the perpetrator or their motivations.” The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Félix Tshisekedi said. Expressing solidarity with Israel, he said the two countries remained “united to fight terrorism in all its forms”.

On the other hand, Sudan’s foreign ministry backed the Palestinians in the wake of renewed confrontations, saying in a statement that “Sudan renews its support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to have their independent state.” South Africa has called for an “immediate ceasefire” and “a credible peace process that delivers on the calls of a plethora of previous UN resolutions for a two-state solution and a just and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine.”