Just days after Israel and Chad re-established ties, Netanyahu is hoping to recreate his diplomatic success with another Muslim-majority country in Africa.
Israel Hayom has learned that, after some 50 years of no bilaterial ties with Mali, Israel is in advanced talks to have Malian Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga visit Israel some time in the next few weeks, ahead of the April 9 elections.
Situated in West Africa, Mali is considered a failed state and terrorism there is on the rise.
Following a meeting with Maïga two years ago, Netanyahu said the two leaders had agreed to warm diplomatic ties between the countries.
Netanyahu landed in Chad under heavy security on Sunday. He was received in the country's capital of N'Djamena by Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat and other senior officials. Netanyahu and Mahamat then held a one-on-one meeting.
During his meeting with Netanyahu, Chadian President Idriss Deby said, "The fact that we have not had diplomatic relations since 1972 has not prevented cooperation between the countries. Chad is interested in bolstering cooperation with Israel on in a variety of fields. My visit [to Israel] was aimed at learning up close about Israel's ability in a variety of fields; water technology, gas and others. I welcome the signing of a number of agreements between us, including the agreement on the establishment of ties. Chad will do everything it can to bolster collaboration."
Netanyahu said it is his belief the battle against terrorism "is far from being lost, that we can defeat these forces if we join hands."
Nothing this was his third visit to Africa in two years, Netanyahu said, "We believe in the future of Chad and the future of Africa."
He said that in March, a special delegation of Israeli companies would arrive in Chad "to see the various possibilities that the president and the government of Chad are opening up for Israeli companies, and I think the opportunities are vast."
