Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

'Israel', worried by Raisi's Africa trip, sends FM on his heels

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media + news websites
  • 17 Jul 2023 19:10
3 Min Read

A statement from Eli Cohen's office says his trip was meant to strengthen connections with Africa in light of "the Iranian attempt to expand its activities on the continent."

  • x
  • Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Eli Cohen addresses a joint press conference after talks with his German counterpart at the Foreign Office in Berlin, Germany, on 28 February 2023 (AFP)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's successful trip to Africa and Iran's expanding influence on the continent have alarmed "Israel", prompting the latter to dispatch its Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi to meet with a number of African officials in an effort to improve relations with them.

According to a statement from Cohen's office, his trip was meant to strengthen connections with Africa in light of "the Iranian attempt to expand its activities on the continent."

Cohen, who was on an official trip to attend a biannual coordination meeting of the African Union, claimed he spoke with the head of an unnamed African nation without diplomatic ties with "Israel" on the sidelines of the midyear summit, Israeli media reported on Monday.

"Israel", according to its Foreign Ministry's claims, engaged in "normalization contacts with several African countries, including Niger, Mali, and Mauritania."

According to his office, Cohen also had meetings with other unnamed African diplomats and officials, as well as Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua.

The Israeli Minister accused Iran of breaking the terms of the nuclear agreement and alleged that Kenya's position on the board of the [UN's] International Atomic Energy Agency gave it influence over the purported "international supervision of Iran."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi landed in Kenya on July 12 on his first stop as part of a scheduled three-state African tour.

Raisi, who headed a cross-industry delegation, had plans to establish stronger ties with the designated countries through his trip and sign bi-mutual agreements in several fields including the trade and financial sectors. His mission comes in line with Iran's strategy to strengthen relations with friendly nations and in pursuit of economic multilateralism.

President Raisi also met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who urged countries under Western sanctions to cooperate.

According to Mnangagwa, the two Presidents inked "a record" of 12 agreements on a variety of subjects, from telecommunications to energy. He believes these will enable Zimbabwe to utilize Iranian innovation and technology and to plan the construction of a tractor factory to aid in agricultural mechanization.

Additionally, the two nations agreed to cooperate on initiatives in the fields of research, science, and technology as well as energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications.

Nasser Kanaani, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, called President Raisi's continental journey "a new turning point" that would strengthen commercial and trade ties with African countries.

It is worth noting that Raisi's visit marks the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years and aligns with Iran's comprehensive foreign policy to strengthen relations with friendly nations and the pursuit of economic multilateralism, aiming to bolster Iran's presence in the African economy.

Last month, the Iranian President went on an official tour to Latin America where he visited Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela.

Read more: Raisi: New world order shaping in favor of independent states

  • alf
  • Africa
  • Israel
  • Alfred Mutua
  • Eli Cohen
  • President Ebrahim Raisi
  • Nasser Kanaani
  • Iran
  • Kenya

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS