ANT KATZ

Israel’s continuing drive to grow its sphere of influence and support in Africa was again evident last week when President Reuven Rivlin asked the new non-resident Lesotho ambassador to Israel to assist Israel in regaining its erstwhile observer status at the Organisation of African Unity.

President Rivlin received the diplomatic credentials of a number of new ambassadors to Israel at his residence last week Wednesday. They hailed from India, Chile, Myanmar, Estonia, and Lesotho.

RIGHT: Lesotho’s new Ambassador to Israel Lineo Irene Molisa-Mabusela with Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin.

Lesotho Ambassador Lineo Irene Molisa-Mabusela presented her credentials as non-resident ambassador to Israel. Rivlin congratulated her on her appointment and stressed that “the relationship between our two nations is very important to us”.

He added that “despite any crises, we have maintained uninterrupted relations”.

The President spoke of the important co-operation between the two countries, mainly in the fields of agriculture and water innovation. “We would like to see more of your students come to study through MASHAV especially here in Israel.”

The President also asked Lesotho to assist Israel, pointing out “Israel would be pleased to return to its observer status at the African Union”.

Molisa-Mabusela thanked the President and said: “Allow me to pass the warmest wishes of His Majesty and the people of Lesotho.”  She told the president that her country was “appreciative of the wonderful relations between our two countries, and we would like to work to open new channels of communication including in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, water and many others”.

Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) website lists 17 full-time embassies in Africa. However, many of them are non-resident posts –such as the South African resident ambassador, Arthur Lenk, who also holds the non-resident brief for other countries such as Lesotho and Swaziland.

Today it was Togo’s chance

BREAKING NEWS: President Rivlin this morning (Wednesday) held a working meeting with President Faure Gnassingbé, of Togo. “Our ability in agriculture, together with our technological capabilities has led us to many achievements. I know the great efforts you are making in these fields and we are proud of the many Israelis who are investing in your country.”

Rivlin spoke of the co-operation between the two countries and of Israel’s experience and ability to assist Togo. He said, “Our ability in agriculture, together with our technological capabilities has led us to many achievements. I know the great efforts you are making in these fields and we are proud of the many Israelis who are investing in your country.

“Israel is interested in being involved in the assisting with humanitarian issues, initiatives, and the rebuilding taking place in Africa,” continued the President. “We, together with many European nations, see that Africa is the future, and therefore I am proud and greatly appreciate the opportunity to welcome you here, with the hope that your visit will represent another step up in the relationship between our two countries.”

President Rivlin thanked President Gnassingbé for his country’s stance alongside Israel in international institutions, and said, “On behalf of the Israeli people, all the citizens of Israel, I must thank you for standing with Israel.”

President Gnassingbé in turn thanked Rivlin for his warm welcome and said how excited he was to be visiting Israel.

“The people of Togo admire what Israel has achieved, an admiration shared by many nations in Africa and around the world.”