In Africa, praise for Saudi Arabia reveals diplomatic dance

As shocking details in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi approached a crescendo, the war-torn nation of South Sudan this week issued a rare foreign ministry statement. It praised the Saudi position to defuse the crisis as "honorable" and assured the kingdom of its commitment to strong relations.

Impoverished South Sudan isn't the only African nation to support the Saudis at a time when much of the world is shying away. Whether pressured to speak up after receiving assistance or making a diplomatic play for more, a few countries have bucked the global trend while others appear to waver in the face of billions of dollars in Saudi funding.

Their statements reveal the balancing act many African countries, notably in the Horn of Africa, are making these days as more of the world's powers see the continent as a strategic investment.

On Tuesday, Ethiopia's deputy prime minister sat next to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, exchanging a warm handshake, during the Saudi investment forum that many have shunned over the Khashoggi affair.

It was a highly visible moment for one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a close U.S. security partner. Some Ethiopians were furious. Others said their country needs a rich ally these days.

Somalia, which struggles to maintain a neutral stance amid regional powers including Turkey and Gulf nations, is another example. After its prime minister visited Saudi Arabia, the foreign ministry last week issued a statement expressing "full solidarity" with the kingdom against "all those who seek to undermine its role." An uproar among Somalis at home and around the world followed. The government backed off, saying the statement was simply general support.

Tiny Djibouti, an increasingly popular location for global military bases and across a narrow strait from the Arabian Peninsula, issued a statement "firmly condemning the media campaign seeking to tarnish the image" of its brotherly nation. A later statement praised the kingdom's attachment to "fraternity, justice and tolerance."

Across the continent in Mauritania, the Islamic republic has twice issued statements in support of Saudi Arabia since Khashoggi's disappearance, saying: "Mauritania is also confident in Saudi justice." Another foreign ministry statement denounced the "campaign of false allegations."

Even South Africa, often praised for its outspoken support for human rights after the long fight to defeat apartheid, almost saw its state security minister attend the Saudi forum before President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the trip to be cancelled, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.

Facing questions about whether possible Saudi investment in a state-owned defense conglomerate was keeping South Africa from speaking out on Khashoggi's disappearance, the government last week issued a brief statement expressing "concern."

But troubled South Sudan's support of the kingdom might be the biggest surprise.

"Nobody pressured us to put out that statement. Like any other government in the world we have the right to make statements," Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Baak Wol told The Associated Press. "We wanted to express our opinion on something that is a concern for everyone in the world."

Critics said otherwise, suggesting that the government is looking elsewhere for friends as ties with top humanitarian donor United States turn chilly over South Sudan's failure to end a devastating civil war. The U.S. successfully led the U.N. Security Council to impose an arms embargo earlier this year and has threatened to withdraw millions in aid.

"Why should the U.S. give development assistance to governments that will squander it or will put it in its pockets?" the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, Tibor Nagy, told reporters on Tuesday in response to a question about the country.

Political analyst and University of Juba professor Jacob Chol said South Sudan's statement is likely "reactionary diplomacy, feelings that Saudi Arabia may support South Sudan financially. Opportunism."

"The government of South Sudan is desperate for diplomatic relations and is clutching at anything to reconnect to the U.S.," said Wol Deng Atak, a former member of South Sudan's parliament who now lives in exile. "This letter suggests the extent to which the regime is willing to go."

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Salem reported from in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Associated Press writers Abdi Guled in Nairobi, Kenya and Krista Mahr in Johannesburg contributed.

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