By Abiola Olawale
The African Union (AU) has issued a stern condemnation following a wave of joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran today, warning that the “massive” escalation threatens to plunge the global economy and food security into a tailspin.
In a statement released Saturday, February 28, 2026, AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities,” urging all involved parties to embrace “urgent de-escalation” and return to the path of diplomacy.
The strikes, which U.S. President Donald Trump described as a “massive and ongoing” operation aimed at neutralizing Iranian missile capabilities, have sparked fears of a protracted regional war.
Reacting, the AU said: “Further escalation risks worsening global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience — particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute.”
