The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has voiced deep concern over escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran, warning of far-reaching global consequences. ALSO READ: RwandAir suspends Middle East flights amid US-Iran escalation In a statement issued on Saturday, February 28, following the escalations, Youssouf said he was “deeply concerned by the reported military strikes carried out by the United States in coordination with Israeli forces against targets inside the Islamic Republic of Iran,” describing the development as “a serious intensification of hostilities in the Middle East.” The escalation follows early Saturday strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets after what the Israeli military described as months of joint planning. US President Donald Trump termed the campaign “massive and ongoing,” while Tehran has denied accusations that it is rebuilding its nuclear programme for military purposes. Youssouf called for “restraint, urgent de-escalation, and sustained dialogue,” stressing that “all parties must act fully in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard international peace and security.” AU Commission Press Statement on US-Iran Military Escalation. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf is deeply concerned by the reported military strikes carried out by the United States in coordination with Israeli forces against targets... pic.twitter.com/f4PduFzuXl — African Union (@_AfricanUnion) February 28, 2026 He warned that further confrontation “threatens to worsen global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience, particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute.” The Commission Chairperson urged all actors to prioritise diplomacy, citing “ongoing international mediation efforts facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman” as critical avenues to prevent further deterioration and to uphold the international rules-based order. Reiterating the continental body’s position, Youssouf emphasised that “sustainable peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, not through force.”
