The current split in the African Union (AU) over Israel’s observer status within the organisation is emblematic of a larger conflict that has the potential to split the continent’s largest political institutions. Africa is currently facing one of its most crucial decisions regarding Palestine and Israel, the repercussions of which could be as significant as the 1975 Resolution 77 (XII) adopted by the Organisation of African Unity – the precursor of the African Union – which recognised Israel’s founding ideology, Zionism, as a form of racism. This time around, however, it is Palestine, not Israel, that stands to lose out. Israel’s attempt to gain observer status at the AU began years ago. For decades, most African countries had severed all … Continue reading Africa must not abandon Palestine by granting Israel AU observer status