The African Union (AU) has expressed strong concern over the escalating military confrontation between the United States and Iran, warning that the growing hostilities could destabilise global security and intensify economic pressures across Africa and other vulnerable regions.
In an official statement on Saturday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian targets as a “dangerous escalation” and called for immediate restraint and urgent diplomatic engagement.
“The Chairperson calls for restraint, urgent de-escalation, and sustained dialogue,” the statement said, emphasising that all actors must operate strictly within the framework of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The AU highlighted the broader implications of the conflict, noting that unilateral military actions risk triggering regional instability and undermining international peace. The Commission also stressed the potential economic fallout, particularly for African nations already grappling with inflation, debt pressures, and fragile food systems.
“A further escalation threatens to worsen global instability,” Youssouf said, warning that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could disrupt energy supplies, drive up fuel prices, and exacerbate food insecurity—challenges that disproportionately affect developing economies.
The AU reiterated its support for ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives led by the Sultanate of Oman, urging all parties to prioritise negotiations over military confrontation.
“Dialogue-based solutions must remain central to resolving conflicts with potential wider geopolitical consequences,” the statement said.
Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s position that sustainable peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, cooperation, and adherence to international norms. “Military action cannot deliver lasting stability,” he added.
The AU’s intervention underscores growing international concern over the trajectory of the U.S.–Iran confrontation and its potential impact on global security and economic stability. The continental body called on all parties to recommit to peaceful engagement and collective responsibility in safeguarding international peace.
