After a two-decade absence, Israel is returning to the African Union as a member with an observer status, Jerusalem announced on Thursday.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Alaly Adamso submitted Israel's charter to the continental body, the Foreign Ministry reported in a statement.
Israel had observer status with the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor to the African Union, which was dissolved in 2002.
Israel currently has diplomatic relations with 46 of the African Union's 55 member states.
"This is a day of celebration for Israeli-Africa relations," Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said.
"The diplomatic achievement is the result of great efforts by the Foreign Ministry, the African Division and Israeli embassies on the continent," Lapid added.
"This is a corrective step to the anomaly that was in place for almost two decades and it represents an important part of bolstering and fortifying the fabric of Israel's foreign relations."
The upgrade of ties between Israel and the continental body would allow all parties to collaborate in the war against terrorism raging throughout the continent, as well as against the COVID pandemic.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
