Israel’s role in South Sudan under scrutiny amid escalating violence

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir (left) and a delegation from the United Nations Security Council, including US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power (right) during a tour of the state house, known as j1, to show the damages of fightings from July, on September 4th, prior to a closed-door meeting. [PHOTO: AFP]

Escalating violence in South Sudan is casting a light on Israel’s murky involvement in that conflict and raising questions about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new strategy of strengthening ties with African countries.

Netanyahu has been forging alliances across Africa in an effort he says will help blunt Palestinian diplomatic initiatives against Israel at the United Nations.