Namibia joins African nations rejecting granting ‘Israel’ observer status

Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Namibia joined South Africa, Algeria, and several civil society groups on the continent Thursday in rejecting the recent decision by the African Union Commission to grant the occupation state observer status at the continental body.

“Granting observer status to an occupying power is contrary to the principles and objectives of the Constitutive Act of the African Union,” Penda Naanda, executive director of Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, said in a statement.

The occupation state had submitted a letter of credence to rejoin the AU as an observer — which was accepted — 19 years after the occupation state lost its status.

After the submission, Yair Lapid, the Israeli foreign minister, attributed the milestone to the efforts of the foreign ministry, noting that the “diplomatic achievement” will correct the anomaly that has existed in the apartheid state’s relationship with Africa.

“This is a day of celebration for Israel-Africa relations. This diplomatic achievement is the result of efforts by the Foreign Ministry, the African Division, and Israeli embassies on the continent,” he had said.

South Africa, Namibia, and Algeria have now rejected the decision of Félix Tshisekedi, chairperson of the 55-member continental organization, saying they were not consulted.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibian international relations minister, in an interview with Namibian Sun, said the approval did not meet the basic principles of the AU.