Israel's Ambassador Ejected from African Union Event Amid Political Tensions

Israel's ambassador to Ethiopia was expelled from an African Union event this week, calling the incident "outrageous." An Israeli official revealed on Wednesday that the expulsion occurred during the annual commemoration of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The request for removal came from African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf. The official, not authorised to speak publicly, shared this information anonymously.

The ambassador, Avraham Nigusse, expressed his discontent on social media, stating, "The new African Union Commission chairperson chose to introduce anti-Israel political elements." He further commented that this action "reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the histories of both the Rwandan and Jewish peoples," noting his invitation came from Rwanda. Youssouf's spokesperson did not respond to requests for comments.

Observer Status and Diplomatic Tensions

Youssouf began his four-year term as AU chair in February. A diplomat at the AU explained on Wednesday that Israel's ambassador was removed due to the loss of observer status at the continental body in Addis Ababa. This diplomat also spoke anonymously, lacking authorisation to discuss the matter with journalists.

Israel regained observer status at the AU in 2021 after it was revoked two decades earlier due to conflicts with Palestinians. However, this status was suspended again in 2023, pending a review by a committee of African heads of state. A decision is yet to be announced.

Historical Context and Recent Developments

In 2023, a senior Israeli diplomat faced eviction from the AU's annual summit for lacking proper accreditation. The pan-African organisation maintains strong ties with Palestinians, frequently inviting their leaders to major events. Last month, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza after breaking a ceasefire.

The Health Ministry in Gaza reports over 50,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict with Hamas began following an attack on Israel by the militant group on October 7, 2023. South Africa, a key AU member, has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of genocide during its military actions in Gaza.

Israel has firmly denied these allegations and labelled them as outrageous. The situation continues to unfold as diplomatic tensions persist between Israel and various African nations within the AU framework.