The African Union (AU) issued an urgent call for restraint today following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that further escalation could destabilize global markets and deepen economic challenges across Africa. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the risks to energy security, food supplies, and economic resilience, particularly for African nations already grappling with conflict and inflation.
The strikes, reported by regional media to have triggered retaliatory missile activity, have heightened fears of a broader confrontation in the Gulf. Youssouf stressed that lasting peace requires diplomatic solutions, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue over military action.
In response to rising security concerns, major African carriers including Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut this week. The AU also advised African residents in the Middle East to remain vigilant as tensions persist.
Global leaders are closely monitoring the situation, with analysts highlighting potential ripple effects on oil prices and international trade routes critical to Asian and African economies.
