Africa urges restraint as US-Israel strikes escalate tensions in Iran

DW News · Mar 2, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Protests have erupted across Nigeria's Gombe, Niger, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, and Sokoto states following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by an Israeli airstrike on Saturday during a joint US-Israeli military operation. Nigeria is home to Africa's largest Shiite community, many of whom regard Khamenei as their spiritual guide. Despite the unrest, the Nigerian government has adopted a cautious and balanced stance, avoiding alignment with either Iran or the US-Israeli coalition. Abuja has instead emphasized de‑escalation, diplomacy, and warnings about the broader regional instability the conflict could trigger. Nigeria, along with Kenya, voiced concerns over the potential spread of insecurity and the economic ripple effects the conflict may unleash. Both countries urged all sides to return to diplomacy rather than continue military exchanges.Several African countries including Kenya maintain diplomatic relations with TehranImage: Khalil Senosi/AP/picture alliance These concerns are rooted in Africa's long‑standing vulnerability to oil price shocks: when conflict disrupts global supply routes, fuel prices surge — affecting transportation, manufacturing, food distribution, and household budgets. Rising oil prices have historically strained many African economies, especially net importers, by raising inflation and widening trade deficits. Inflation fears intensify In Ghana and Namibia, authorities expressed alarm about the economic aftershocks already emerging from the escalation in the Middle East, particularly fuel price spikes that threaten to aggravate inflation. Their concerns mirror broader structural realities: many African economies remain highly dependent on oil — either as importers vulnerable to price surges or as exporters whose national budgets hinge on volatile global energy markets. Oil remains a major source of export revenue for many African economies. Countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Libya, Congo, and Gabon rely heavily on energy revenues to finance government spending. Market turbulence grows With global oil prices jumping sharply following renewed Middle East tensions, African governments fear the potential economic fallout could be severe. For oil‑importing nations like Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana, rising fuel costs tend to spike the price of transport and basic goods, threatening already fragile household incomes. For oil producers such as Nigeria, Angola, and Libya, higher prices might temporarily boost revenues — but only if production remains stable, a challenge given aging infrastructure, theft, and underinvestment in the sector.People seek shelter from Iranian missiles in an underground parking garage in Tel Aviv, IsraelImage: Oren Ziv/dpa/picture alliance Leaders push diplomacy As market turbulence continues, African leaders warn that the continent cannot afford the escalating cost of conflict. Many have intensified calls for United Nations‑led diplomacy, warning that further escalation could compound economic instability at a time when many states are still recovering from global shocks such as COVID-19 and elevated international borrowing costs. South Africa expressed deep concern, condemned the violence, and urged the US, Israel, and Iran to allow the United Nations to lead sustained peace negotiations. The African Union echoed this sentiment, warning that the conflict threatens global peace, stability, and the economic security of vulnerable nations across Africa. Chad takes dual stance In Chad, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno took an unusual dual position: he expressed solidarity with Iran's Islamic leadership while simultaneously condemning Iran's retaliatory strikes on Gulf countries — key Chadian allies such as the UAE and Qatar. His stance sparked criticism at home, with many Chadians accusing him of unnecessarily taking sides in a volatile conflict. Deby first posted a message of support for Iran's Supreme Leader on Facebook. In a second post, he publicly condemned Iran's attacks on the Gulf states.Attacks on Iran trigger global Shiite protestsTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Political scientist Dr. Evariste Ngarlem Tolde argued that Deby was venturing into dangerous diplomatic territory. By speaking out early, he said, the Chadian president risked alienating crucial partners such as the United States and Israel."Every position is open to interpretation in such an explosive context," Tolde warned, adding that Deby's intervention harmed presidential communication at a sensitive time. He stressed that Iran offers far less strategic value to Chad than the US or Israel.Continental call for peace Beyond Chad, African reactions remain diverse, shaped by each country's diplomatic ties, historical relationships, and geopolitical interests. Yet a shared message emerges across the continent: a strong call for peace, restraint, and strict adherence to international law. This stance is driven not only by principle, but also by the economic vulnerabilities that make continued escalation a dangerous prospect for African nations. Overall, Africa's voice in this crisis is one urging diplomacy over confrontation — and stability over geopolitical brinkmanship. Merz condemns Iran's counterstrikes across regionTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Keith Walker