Foreign Minister Eli Cohen ended his diplomatic visit to Nairobi late Sunday, during which he met with the country's foreign minister and African leaders, including officials from a Muslim-African country, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
During the meetings, the ministers discussed strengthening the ties between Israel and Kenya and the African continent and expanding the circle of relations with other African countries. Foreign Minister Cohen noted that in recent months the economic ties between the countries have strengthened and that cooperation in the field of cyber defense and the expansion of charter flights between Israel and Kenya during the tourist season are on the agenda.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen landed in Kenya on Sunday for a 10-hour visit at the invitation of the African nation’s president.https://t.co/ACMndnVbet
— World Israel News (@worldisraelnews) July 17, 2023
"The diplomatic visit to Nairobi has regional and strategic importance against the background of Iran's attempts to expand its influence on the continent. Kenya's regional position makes it a key partner of Israel in the East African region. Kenya's membership in the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency allows it to influence the international supervision of the Iranian violations in the nuclear program," said the foreign minister.
He added: "I thank President Ruto and Foreign Minister Mutua for their efforts to promote Israel's position on the continent and to open doors for the State of Israel in countries on the continent with which we do not yet have diplomatic relations. We will continue to strengthen economic ties with Kenya in the fields of agriculture, tourism, and cyberspace, especially in light of her decision of Kenya for which Israel will lead the national cyber project." Kenya is a key ally of Israel in East Africa that helps in expanding the circle of peace and normalization and confirming Israel's position as an observer in the Organization of African Union.
Eli Cohen is in Nairobi just days after Ayatollah’s visit.
— Kariûki (@KiloFxTrot) July 17, 2023
Kenya invited him for AU meeting, although AU suspended Israel’s observer status last February. Strange.
But Cohen is certainly here more for bilateral ties than for AU things. The Iranian leader’s visit hit them.
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also met with officials from a Muslim country that does not maintain relations with Israel. The condition for holding the meeting was that the name of the country would not be published. The meeting took place during an official visit by Minister Cohen to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, against the backdrop of the semi-annual meeting of the Organization of the African Union.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday met in #Nairobi with the leader of an unnamed #Muslim country that does not have diplomatic ties with #Israel, the ministry said.
— MIDEAST TODAY (@MideastToday) July 17, 2023
The meeting was held on the condition that it would remain out of public view and was on the sidelines… pic.twitter.com/wZsn6OABFH
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "normalization contacts are being held with a number of African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Mauritania." Although there are many Muslim countries in Africa, a number of Northern African countries come to mind when thinking about who would agree to meet with Israel under those specific terms.
