The recent coup in Niger, and the prospect of a Russian intervention in the country along the lines of that in neighboring Mali, make clear that Africa is an important arena of global competition. So too does a recent visit by the Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. For precisely these reasons, Israel’s cultivation of diplomatic ties on the continent is critical, as Irit Tratt explains:
Kenya’s role as a member of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency makes it an attractive ally to Iran. Raisi was feted by Kenya’s President William Ruto with a red-carpet welcome and concluded his visit by signing five memoranda of understanding in which the two leaders pledged cooperation in areas ranging from communication technology to animal health. Iran also enhanced relations with Uganda, which has discovered a trove of uranium deposits.
Furthermore, Iran is using its relationship with eastern Africa in order to maximize its presence on the region’s waterways. In particular, Iran is seeking to restore ties with Sudan, a crucial access point to the Red Sea.
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s anticipated trip to Morocco is a necessary step towards broadening Israel’s diplomatic relations with the region. By delineating shared areas of understanding, Israel can enable Africa to view an alliance with the Jewish state through the prism of partnership rather than paternalism.
Historically, Israel has adjusted its relations with Africa in alignment with U.S. policy, but this has failed to yield strategic dividends. . . . An autonomous Israeli policy of cementing African alliances will foil Iran’s attempts to enter Africa and help reverse anti-Western sentiments rising on the continent.
Read more on JNS: https://www.jns.org/column/israel/23/8/13/310273/