By Moses Desire Kouyo
The intensifying hostilities between Israel and Iran, marked by drone assaults, retaliatory missile strikes, and regional power maneuvering, are reverberating far beyond the Middle East. In Africa, a continent often overlooked in mainstream geopolitical discourse, the consequences are being felt in subtle but significant ways. From diplomatic alignments to economic pressures and narrative battles in global media, Africa’s reactions underscore its growing role in international affairs.
Across the continent, the response has been diverse, shaped by each nation’s foreign policy posture, economic interests, and historical allegiances. South Africa once again emerged as one of the continent’s most vocal critics of Israel’s military actions, citing violations of international law and reaffirming its solidarity with the Palestinian cause. This builds on Pretoria’s legal offensive at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where it has accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s calls for restraint and his condemnation of unilateral military force echo South Africa’s foreign policy doctrine, rooted in anti-colonialism and human rights advocacy.
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Other countries like Algeria, Mauritania, and Sudan also voiced concern. Algeria, long opposed to normalization with Israel, warned that the escalation threatens global peace. Mauritania, reflecting both official displeasure and grassroots outrage, organized public demonstrations condemning the strikes and Western complicity. Sudan’s criticism, although more cautious, is tempered by its internal fragility and transitional politics, yet still reflects concern about potential fallout if regional tensions spill over.
By contrast, several African states—namely Rwanda, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Ghana—have adopted more cautious, if not silent, approaches. Their restraint reflects the complex calculus of contemporary diplomacy, particularly where partnerships with Israel in defense, intelligence, and agriculture hold strategic value. Morocco’s normalization under the Abraham Accords, for example, ties Rabat closer to Western diplomatic interests, especially the United States, limiting its willingness to openly critique Israeli military actions.
On the continental level, the African Union (AU) issued a call for “maximum restraint,” urging all parties to respect international law and avoid escalating the conflict. Though measured, this statement underscores the AU’s increasing engagement with global conflict resolution. It also highlights Africa’s desire to be seen not merely as a passive observer but as a moral actor with legitimate stakes in the architecture of global peace.
Economically, the ripple effects are palpable. Africa’s interconnectedness with global energy and commodity markets means instability in the Middle East quickly translates to domestic hardship. In Nigeria, for instance, soaring global oil prices—driven by fears of disrupted supply chains have pushed fuel costs beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, compounding inflationary pressures and exposing vulnerabilities in national energy policies. Egypt, whose gas import infrastructure is linked to Israel, has been forced to implement emergency rationing following the shutdown of key facilities.
The humanitarian dimension, while centered on the Middle East, also carries implications for Africa. The possibility of displacement, donor fatigue in humanitarian assistance, and the diversion of global attention from African crises such as those in the Sahel, Sudan, or the Horn of Africa pose real risks. Countries already grappling with internal strife or refugee inflows are particularly exposed, especially if global aid and media coverage continue to be diverted toward the Middle East.
Moreover, the Israel-Iran conflict has reignited African critiques of global governance and international media framing. Many African thinkers and journalists argue that mainstream Western media simplifies complex geopolitical realities into binary narratives painting Iran as the aggressor and Israel as a victim—while omitting key historical grievances, such as the displacement of Palestinians in 1948 or the systemic marginalization of non-Western perspectives in global diplomacy. This echoes longstanding frustrations about the inequities within the United Nations Security Council, the perceived double standards in the application of international law, and the marginalization of African concerns on the global stage.
This discontent is mirrored by a gradual pivot in African diplomacy. Increasingly, some African nations are diversifying their alliances, deepening ties with Russia, China, and other non-Western powers. These shifts are not merely tactical but ideological—signaling a desire for multipolarity, where Africa can assert itself on equal footing. The Israel-Iran crisis, in this context, is more than a regional flare-up; it is a stress test for Africa’s diplomatic agility and a reflection of the broader rebalancing of power in the 21st century.
That said, Africa’s repositioning comes with risks. Balancing relationships with traditional Western allies who remain major sources of aid and investment and emerging powers requires deft diplomacy. Silence or neutrality may buy political room, but it also invites criticism from domestic actors and civil society groups demanding moral clarity and solidarity with oppressed peoples, particularly Palestinians, whose struggle resonates with Africa’s anti-colonial memory.
Moving forward, there is a pressing need for African media and diplomacy to frame the conflict through a lens that foregrounds peacebuilding, historical accountability, and the human cost of war. Storytelling must be grounded in African experiences with peacemaking—from Liberia’s post-war recovery to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. These lessons offer alternative models of justice and reconciliation, rooted in dignity and inclusivity.
Ultimately, the Israel-Iran conflict lays bare the fault lines of global politics and the enduring impact of militarized power structures. But it also presents an opportunity for Africa to assert its voice, not just in reaction to global crises, but as a proactive force for equity and peace. As African nations continue to navigate this evolving terrain, their choices will not only define regional futures but also help shape the moral contours of global order.
