Africa urges restraint as US-Israel strikes escalate in Iran
Africa Urges Restraint as US-Israeli Strikes Escalate in Iran
With US and Israeli airstrikes intensifying in Iran, African leaders are split on how to respond. While some nations condemn the actions, others maintain neutrality, and many advise Iran to avoid striking critical Gulf allies. Protests broke out in Nigeria’s Gombe, Niger, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, and Sokoto states after an Israeli strike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a joint US-Israeli military operation. Nigeria hosts the continent’s most significant Shiite population, many of whom view Khamenei as a spiritual guide.
The Nigerian government has taken a measured approach, steering clear of overt support for either Iran or the US-Israeli coalition. Abuja has prioritized de-escalation and diplomacy, cautioning that the conflict could destabilize the broader region. Alongside Kenya, Nigeria raised alarms about the potential spread of insecurity and the economic ripple effects from the escalating war. Both countries called for renewed diplomatic efforts, urging all parties to avoid further military engagement.
Regional Responses and Economic Concerns
African leaders highlight the continent’s susceptibility to oil price fluctuations. Conflicts in the Middle East, which disrupt global supply chains, drive up fuel costs—impacting transportation, manufacturing, and household budgets. This has historically pressured African economies, particularly net importers, by inflating prices and deepening trade deficits. Oil remains a vital export revenue stream for several nations, including Nigeria, Angola, Libya, Congo, and Gabon, which depend heavily on energy sales to fund public services.
In Ghana and Namibia, officials voiced apprehension over the economic fallout from the Middle East tensions. Fuel price spikes, they warned, could worsen inflation, compounding challenges from the pandemic and high international borrowing rates. The dual pressures on importers and exporters underscore Africa’s reliance on oil markets. For nations like Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana, rising fuel costs threaten already fragile incomes. Meanwhile, oil-producing states risk short-term gains if production stays stable, despite challenges like aging infrastructure and underinvestment.
Chad’s Dilemma
Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno adopted an unconventional stance, aligning with Iran’s leadership while criticizing its retaliatory attacks on Gulf partners. This split position drew domestic backlash, with critics arguing he overstepped by taking sides in a volatile conflict. Deby first shared a message of solidarity for Khamenei on Facebook, then swiftly condemned Iran’s strikes against the UAE and Qatar. Political scientist Dr. Evariste Ngarlem Tolde called this move a risky diplomatic choice.
“Every position is open to interpretation in such an explosive context,” Tolde warned, noting that Deby’s intervention could harm presidential communication at a critical juncture. He emphasized that Iran offers Chad less strategic value than the US or Israel.
African Union leaders echoed concerns that the conflict jeopardizes global peace and economic stability. With market volatility mounting, they stress the need for UN-led negotiations to prevent further economic strain. South Africa, in particular, condemned the violence and called for sustained talks between the US, Israel, and Iran to avert a deeper crisis.
