The African Union has welcomed the ceasefire in the US-Israel war involving Iran, underscoring its economic repercussions across Africa while urging sustained diplomatic engagement to secure lasting peace. In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 8, the bloc indicated that the truce—announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan—is consistent with its longstanding calls for restraint and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described the ceasefire as a critical turning point. “The ceasefire presents a critical opportunity to ease the suffering of populations affected both directly and indirectly,” he said, adding that “sustained dialogue and inclusive diplomacy will be essential to consolidating these gains.”
The AU highlighted the wider global fallout from the conflict, noting that disruptions to fuel supplies have fuelled inflationary pressures and increased the cost of basic commodities across African economies already grappling with fiscal constraints. It expressed full support for ongoing negotiations in Islamabad and commended mediation efforts led by Oman, Türkiye, and Egypt, whose diplomatic interventions were instrumental in securing the ceasefire and advancing prospects for a broader peace agreement.
The truce follows a sharp escalation in hostilities stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28 and has spanned approximately six weeks, heightening concerns over a wider regional conflict and disrupting global energy markets.
While Pakistan’s role in announcing the ceasefire has opened a pathway for further negotiations, the AU cautioned that maintaining diplomatic momentum will be critical to preventing renewed instability. Reaffirming its position, the bloc stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable pathway to resolving international crises and called on all parties to commit to dialogue in pursuit of enduring peace.