African Union Issues Urgent Call for Restraint Amid US-Iran Escalation
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union (AU) has broken its silence on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, issuing a formal statement expressing “deep concern” over the recent US-coordinated military strikes on Iran and warning of severe consequences for global stability, particularly across the African continent.
In a press release dated February 28, 2026, African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf addressed the “serious intensification of hostilities” following the joint US-Israeli operation that targeted senior leadership inside Iran earlier this week.
The Chairperson called for “restraint, urgent de-escalation, and sustained dialogue,” emphasizing that all parties must act in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard international peace and security.
Africa’s Vulnerability to Global Shockwaves
While the military confrontation is centered in the Middle East, the AU warning highlighted the disproportionate impact such conflicts have on African nations. The statement specifically pointed to threats against “energy markets, food security, and economic resilience” as critical areas of concern for the continent.
“Further escalation threatens to worsen global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience—particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute,” the statement read.
African nations, already grappling with the lingering effects of global inflation and regional conflicts, face potential ripple effects from any sustained military confrontation in the oil-rich Gulf region. Analysts note that spikes in energy prices and disruptions to supply chains could severely undermine fragile economies across the continent.
A Diplomatic Path Forward
The AU Commission urged all actors to prioritize diplomatic engagement, making specific reference to ongoing international mediation efforts facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman. Oman has historically served as an interlocutor between Western powers and Iran, maintaining diplomatic channels even during periods of heightened tension.
Chairperson Youssouf reiterated the African Union’s foundational principle that “sustainable peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, not through force.”
The statement, disseminated through the AU’s Information and Communication Directorate, represents the continental body’s most significant intervention in the current crisis and signals growing international alarm over the potential for a broader regional war.
As of this writing, neither the White House nor Iranian officials have responded directly to the AU’s appeal.
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