CAIRO — Egyptian fears have been rekindled regarding the spread of Israeli influence in the Horn of Africa, and more particularly the Nile Basin, following information obtained by Egyptian security agencies that Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria were attempting to promote Israel’s candidacy as an observer member in the African Union (AU). These states were also urging other AU states to include a discussion of this request on the agenda for the African Summit in January 2014 in Addis Ababa. 

Israel had submitted a request to the AU in 2003 for membership as an observer state, but at the time AU members did not approve its request. Meanwhile, Egypt is currently facing sanctions by the AU Peace and Security Council, which suspended Egypt's activity in the AU after the ouster of elected President Mohammed Morsi via unconstitutional decisions.

A diplomatic source at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry told Al-Monitor, “Cairo has information about Israel formally moving [via African mediators] toward resubmitting its request for observer status in the AU. Egypt had successfully thwarted this very request when Israel first submitted it 10 years ago.”

The source, who requested anonymity, added, “Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya were the most eager of African nations to see the resolution passed, with member states of the AU ultimately voting in favor of accepting Israeli membership [in 2003].” He explained the current moves to have Israel’s request resubmitted to the AU as “emanating from shared interests that link those countries with Israel.”