-As Middle East Conflict Deepens
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The African Union (AU) has issued a grave warning against further military escalation in the Middle East, following a dramatic and devastating intensification of hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The crisis escalated sharply over the weekend with the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a coordinated US-Israeli attack, and a subsequent wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran.
In a statement released from its headquarters in Addis Ababa, the AU Commission Chairperson, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed profound alarm at the rapidly deteriorating situation. The Chairperson’s statement, initially triggered by reports of military strikes, was updated to reflect the momentous and dangerous new developments.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission is deeply alarmed by the reported military strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the subsequent Israeli strikes on Tehran. This marks a perilous and serious intensification of hostilities that threatens to engulf the entire region in a full-scale conflict,” the statement read.
H.E. Youssouf issued an urgent appeal for maximum restraint, de-escalation, and an immediate cessation of military actions. He stressed that all parties involved must adhere strictly to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter to prevent a catastrophic breakdown of international peace and security.
The Chairperson warned that the conflict is now on the verge of spiraling out of control, with potentially devastating global repercussions. He highlighted the severe implications for global stability, including:
– Energy Markets:The threat of a major oil supply disruption, sending shockwaves through the global economy.
– Food Security: Further destabilization of already fragile supply chains, exacerbating food insecurity, particularly in import-dependent nations.
– Economic Resilience in Africa: A new global conflict would severely undermine economic stability across Africa, where many nations are still grappling with the lingering effects of previous global shocks and ongoing internal pressures.
The crisis deepened further following statements from Tehran and Washington. Iranian leaders have vowed to avenge the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, with hardline factions calling for a decisive and severe response. In a stark warning, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with retaliation on a scale “that has never been seen before” should it carry out any retaliatory action.
Amidst the spiraling rhetoric and military action, the AU Chairperson made a fervent plea for a return to diplomacy. He specifically pointed to ongoing international mediation efforts, notably those facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman, as a critical pathway to prevent further deterioration and uphold a rules-based international order.
“H.E. Mr. Youssouf reiterates that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy, not through the indiscriminate use of force,” the statement concluded. “The African Union stands ready to support all international efforts aimed at de-escalation and the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to this crisis, which has the potential to inflict immense suffering on the people of the region and the world.”
The African Union joins a growing chorus of international voices calling for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the rapidly escalating conflict and prevent a wider regional war.
