AU condemns escalating Israel-Iran conflict, warns of global fallout
The African Union reiterated its unwavering commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of disputes — principles long enshrined in its continental agenda.
The African Union Commission on Friday expressed grave concern over the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, following a retaliatory Israeli airstrike deep inside Iranian territory — a move that risks plunging the Middle East into wider conflict.
In a brief but strongly worded statement from Addis Ababa, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint.
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"The Chairperson of the African Union Commission expresses grave concern over reports of an Israeli airstrike on Iran and the ensuing escalation of hostilities in the Middle East," read the statement.
Ali warned that the latest confrontation — including Israeli strikes on alleged Iranian nuclear facilities and claims of the killing of senior Revolutionary Guard commanders — poses a serious threat to international peace and security.
The African Union reiterated its unwavering commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of disputes — principles long enshrined in its continental agenda.
The crisis erupted after Iran launched around 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation for an overnight Israeli strike.
While most were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome and allied support, Tel Aviv responded with force, escalating an already fragile regional dynamic.
The AU's statement comes at a time when many African states are urging non-alignment amid rising global polarisation.
With energy prices already volatile and global trade routes at risk, further instability in the Middle East could ripple across economies, including Africa's.
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