Arab-Israel rivalry for support in black Africa: the case of East Africa, 1961 - 1971

Abstract

One of the areas that continue to have high political tension threatening to explode into violence is the Middle East. This is an area occupied predominantly by the Arab people but also by Jews concentrated in the state of Israel. The Arabs occupy the states of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt to name only a few. This thesis examines the Arab-Israeli conflict in so far as it relates for rivalry for support in East Africa. It attempts to analyze methods used to achieve diplomatic support from each of the three East African countries namely, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The--study examines the constant threat of war which dominates Israeli policy makers and the fear of_being isolated internationally. Given this fear of isolation the Israelis are constantly working hard to win friends internationally, at the United Nations (U.N.), within the Orqanization of African Unity (OAU) and for the purpose of this study the three East African States of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Israel has gone out to develop economic interest in Africa. It sees Africa as a potential market for manufacture~ goods, as an area where corporate investments can be made. VI Since it has a surplus of skilled labour, it can provide some of it to Black African Countries in need. The study looks at how Israel has used these programs to secure recognition and diplomatic support for its rivalry with the Arabs. The Arabs on their part have also gone to win support in international and regional forums for their cause against the Israeli State. Arab League has £rom time to time worked t~ diminish Israeli presence in Black Africa. The Arabs have staunch supporters of the Liberation struggles in Black Africa. Cairo has been a centre of assistance to Liberation movements. Radio Cairo has been lending moral and ideological support to Liberation movements in Black Africa. In the 1960's it was broadcasting in seven different African languages. Egypt has over the years sent teachers to several African countries as part of Arab contribution to development of these countries. The study goes on to examine how the three East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania responded to the Arab-Israeli rivalry by analyzing official government statements on the Middle East situation particularly their reaction to individual events, exchanqe of State visits, voting pattern on Arab-Israeli conflict at the United Nations. V)'L Finally, the study concludes that both the Arab' ( and the Israelis have fared differently in their rivalry for support in East Africa. During the period under study Israel secured diplomatic recognition from all Black African states, East African states included. At the United Nations, Uganda was more Pro-Israel during early years of Idi Amin rule, while Tanzania was Pro-Arab, and Kenya was more or less neutral. On the other hand Israel failed to force the Arab states to recognize her i.e. during the period under study.