The Israeli prime minister who is on a second leg of a four-nation Africa tour indicated that his country’s cooperation with Africa will lead to greater prosperity and security.
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Netanyahu was welcomed at Entebbe International Airport by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. It was later renamed Operation Yonatan, after Yoni Netanyahu – the prime minister’s brother – who commanded the operation at Entebbe but died during the raid.
Netanyahu laid a wreath at the mass graves honoring the more than 800,000 victims of the genocide perpetrated by Hutu extremists against the Tutsi ethnic group and moderate Hutus.
The President said he also spoke with PM Netanyahu about the peace process between Israel and Palestine, adding that Kenya was for sustainable solution. Netanyahu’s tour of East Africa began in Uganda on Monday and will conclude with a visit to Ethiopia on Thursday.
Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to visit Kenya, responded to Kenyatta’s announcement.
An Israeli band played somber tunes at the airport on the shore of Lake Victoria, to mark the anniversary of the Israeli rescue mission, during which three hostages were killed.
Although the July 1976 rescue mission breached Uganda’s territorial integrity, Amin, who had taken power by force and ruled as a dictator, had become an increasingly isolated figure and would soon by forced out of power with the help of Tanzanian forces.
“We took a big chance”, said Joshua “Shiki” Shani, the lead pilot of the raid who also took part in Monday’s ceremony. Israel’s success in the raid humiliated then-Ugandan President Idi Amin.
“We will unite with Kenya to fight the forces that aim to drag us into a dark past”, Netanyahu said.
He has said the trip symbolises “dramatic changes” in the relationship between Israel and Africa.
“The agreements will allow us to build the capacity of our health systems and professionals in the area of emergency preparedness and resources as well as specialised medical services”, said President Kenyatta when he addressed a joint press conference with PM Netanyahu.
The trip comes at a time when Israel is launching a $13m aid package to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with African countries, said Netanyahu’s office.
Other leaders that attended the mini regional summit include Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Zambian President Edgar Lungu, South Sudan’s President Salva Kirr, Ethiopia Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Malawi’s President Peter Muthariki and Tanzania’s Foreign Affairs minister Augustine Mahiga. The Palestinian Authority does hold member status with the African body.
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President Lungu’s presidential jet touched down at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda yesterday around 14:42 hours (Uganda time) and 13:42 hours Zambian time where he was give a military gun salute.
