Why 52 African States Already Recognise Palestine

A Continental Front Forms

Thirty-seven years after Yasser Arafat proclaimed independence in Algiers, Africa remains the region with the clearest consensus on Palestinian statehood. Fifty-two of the continent’s fifty-four states have formalised recognition, reflecting deep political, historical and moral currents that pre-date today’s diplomatic headlines (RFI).

The Algiers Moment and Rapid Domino Effect

The 15 November 1988 declaration, penned by poet Mahmoud Darwich, found its first supporter in the host nation, Algeria. Within weeks, seventy-five countries followed—most of them African. Recently decolonised capitals such as Khartoum, Cairo, Lagos and Dakar saw parallels between their liberation narratives and Palestinian aspirations, cementing an early diplomatic bloc.

Congo-Brazzaville’s Quiet but Steady Endorsement

Brazzaville joined the initial wave, aligning with its longstanding foreign-policy doctrine that prizes anti-colonial solidarity and balanced multilateralism. Officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs framed recognition as a logical extension of the Congo’s engagement at the UN and within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation observer forums, where it often advocates dialogue over confrontation.

Soft-Power Dividends for the Congolese Capital

Recognising Palestine has reinforced Brazzaville’s credentials as a bridge-builder between North and South. Cultural diplomacy initiatives, including student exchanges with Ramallah and Arabic language programmes at Marien Ngouabi University, have strengthened soft-power assets while remaining cost-effective. These initiatives echo President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s vision of positioning the Congo as a hub for mediation in Central Africa.

Maghreb Solidarity Sets the Pace

North African states—Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania—mirrored Algeria’s swift move, drawing on decades of pan-Arab and pan-African activism. Their early commitment provided political cover for sub-Saharan counterparts to take similar decisions without jeopardising bilateral ties with Western partners, who at the time were more reticent.

Liberation Movements and the Mandela Factor

Pretoria entered the fold on 15 February 1995, one of Nelson Mandela’s first foreign-policy acts. Speaking at the UN last month, South African minister Ronald Lamola called broad recognition “an important step towards a two-state solution”, underscoring how liberation-era ethics still inform African diplomacy three decades later (Johannesburg correspondence).

Critical Voices Inside the Consensus

South African commentators nevertheless chastise Western capitals for what they term a belated awakening. Such critiques illustrate a broader African narrative that positions Global South solidarity as ahead of the curve, bolstering Africa’s moral leverage in multilateral talks without fracturing the near-unanimity on recognition itself.

The Two Outliers: Security Ties Trump Symbolism

Cameroon and Eritrea, both maintaining close security cooperation with Israel, are the only hold-outs. Yaoundé depends on Israeli training and matériel for counter-insurgency operations in the Far North, while Asmara values discreet intelligence links. For these governments, strategic calculus currently outweighs the diplomatic symbolism of recognising Palestine.

Implications for Continental Cohesion

The overwhelming majority nonetheless allows the African Union to speak with a single voice on Palestinian questions. Consensus resolutions at AU summits routinely pass without amendment, enabling the bloc to lobby collectively at the UN General Assembly and within the Non-Aligned Movement. Brazzaville often serves as a mediator when language needs softening for unanimity.

Leverage at the United Nations

African votes amount to over a quarter of the General Assembly, giving the continent a pivotal role in status resolutions on Jerusalem, settlements and humanitarian access. Diplomats from the Congo signal privately that this numeric strength will be decisive if an upgraded Palestinian membership bid resurfaces.

Economic Ties Remain Pragmatic

Recognition has not severed Africa-Israel trade. Nigeria and Kenya import Israeli agri-tech, while the Congo discreetly explores water-management cooperation. This pragmatic dual-track underscores that political solidarity with Palestine coexists with diversified partnerships, a nuance often overlooked in external commentary.

A Soft-Power Template for Emerging Issues

Observers in Brazzaville argue that the Palestinian file offers a template for concerted African action on climate finance and debt relief. By merging moral capital with voting discipline, Africa can shape global agendas without recourse to overt bloc politics, a strategy likely to guide the Congo’s upcoming tenure on the AU Peace and Security Council.

Looking Ahead

As European states such as France weigh recognition this week, African capitals watch with cautious optimism. For Congo-Brazzaville, the moment validates decades of principled positioning and opens fresh avenues for mediation. Whether Western converts will translate symbolism into concrete progress now becomes the question many in Brazzaville and beyond are quietly asking.