Israel wins Ethiopian support for AU 'observer' role
President Uhuru Kenyatta chats with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at State House on July 5, 2016. Israel had been an observer at the AU's predecessor organisation but its status was not renewed at the AU's founding in 2002. PHOTO | PSCU
The position of observer is granted to some non-African countries who wish to engage with the AU, follow proceedings and address its gatherings.
In the 1960s the Arab-Israeli conflict drove a wedge between African countries, many of which were embroiled in liberation struggles, and the Jewish state.
ADDIS ABABA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's push for his country to be granted "observer status" at the African Union gained the backing of continental heavyweight Ethiopia on Thursday.
