BICOM

Israel and Guinea announced yesterday that the two countries have re-established diplomatic relations after a break of 49 years.

Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry Dore Gold met with the Chief of Staff of the Guinean President’s Office Dr. Ibrahim Khalil Kab in Paris yesterday, where they signed a joint statement announcing the renewal of relations. Gold called it “an important closing of a circle,” after Guinea, a majority Muslim country, became the first African state to cut ties with Israel in the aftermath of the Six Day War in 1967. Many others followed suit after the Yom Kippur War six years later, following pressure from the Soviet Union and the Arab world.

Gold said: “Guinea and Israel are countries with a long history of friendship even during the period in which they had no diplomatic relations.”

Haaretz says that Israel’s aid and expertise to help combat the Ebola epidemic two years ago helped pave the way towards yesterday’s announcement. Gold said they now “yearn to advance” bilateral cooperation yet further, especially in agriculture, water development and homeland defence.

He also called on all countries that have yet to renew their ties with Israel to follow Guinea’s example. He added: “This way, we can all act together for the benefit of the region’s nations.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that improving relations in Africa is an important strategic objective. Earlier this month, Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister to visit Africa for decades, visiting Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda, in an attempt to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties. Several of the leaders he met pledged to push for Israel’s reinstatement as an observer at the African Union regional bloc.

Paul Hirschon, who is Israel’s ambassador in Senegal, will also become the envoy to Guinea. Meanwhile, it was recently announced that Tanzania intends to open its first ever embassy in Israel.