Growing ties in Africa

SHAUN ZAGNOEV

Participants were struck by the consistent warmth and friendship with which they were received.

The Kenyans were especially grateful to the group for continuing with its visit in spite of the deadly terror attack that took place in a Nairobi hotel only the previous month. For Wendy, it brought to mind the various solidarity missions to Israel from diaspora countries that were organised during the early part of this century when Israel was experiencing wave upon wave of terrorist attacks. As she remarked, it means a great deal to people when friends stand by them in their time of need.

Terror has become a major concern for Kenya, an East African country bordering on war-torn Somalia. Terror groups linked with Al-Shabaab have been primarily responsible for the many heinous atrocities that have been inflicted on the Kenyan people. These include the attack on Westgate Mall in 2013; the massacre at the Garissa University College in 2015 in which 148 people (mainly students) were killed; and the Mombasa attacks in 2002 targeting an Israeli plane and hotel. Israel today provides extensive assistance and advice in combating this threat.

Kenya is one of several African nations that are developing close ties with Israel in key areas, including security and economic and skills development. In various meetings with government representatives, glowing accounts of this relationship were received. Similarly in Uganda, both in a visit to parliament and in meetings with Cabinet ministers and other leaders, the delegation regularly heard about the importance of education, housing, and food security, all of which Israel is ideally placed to offer expertise and support.

In the Ugandan capital Kampala, the delegation was hosted by Museveni at his official residence overlooking Lake Victoria. In a very open discussion, many issues were raised, ranging from trade to international relations. The president spoke extensively of the Bible and the Jewish claim to its homeland, Israel. He has developed a close relationship with Israel, and there is likewise a developing friendship between the countries on many levels.

The visit demonstrated the heartening progress that is being made in developing ties – economic, diplomatic and other – between Israel and Africa. Wendy’s inclusion (by invitation) in the delegation was further indicative of our own community’s strategic position as the largest Jewish community in Africa, with strong connections to the wider Jewish world. We can feel encouraged not just by what is being achieved in practical terms, but by the consistent goodwill towards the global Jewish community that we have encountered in our interactions with African leaders.

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