In meetings with the presidents of Malawi and South Sudan on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed determination “to strengthen ties with the countries of Africa and increase cooperation in innovation, agriculture, food security and water,” per the prime minister’s office.
Netanyahu met with Lazarus Chakwera, of Malawi, and Salva Kiir, of South Sudan, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
The prime minister praised the African Union’s achievement of permanent member status at the G20, and invited Chakwera and Kiir to visit Israel.
In recent months, Israel has strengthened ties with severalAfrican countries.
Over the summer, senior Israeli and Zambian officials signed several cooperation agreements, Sierra Leone announced it will open an embassy in Jerusalem and Israeli agricultural and irrigation experts have advised counterparts in Chad and in Kenya.
In May, former Israeli Knesset member and communications minister Ayoob Kara told JNS that Abraham Accords have opened doors for Israel in Africa.
“Eventually, we will witness more African countries setting up embassies in Israel and vice versa,” he said. “It’s good for their business. It’s good for agriculture. The citizens benefit. It is a very positive trend overall.”
