The statement issued today, 28 February 2026, by the African Union Commission constitutes a necessary and principled intervention, albeit one that comes at a belated stage of the crisis. By urging restraint, de-escalation, and strict compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter, the African Union has finally articulated what ought to have been Africa’s collective diplomatic posture prior to the outbreak of hostilities.
Of particular significance is the Commission’s explicit recognition of the broader systemic consequences of the conflict, notably its destabilising effects on global security, energy markets, food supply chains, and the economic vulnerability of African states. This acknowledgement reflects a sober appreciation that the war is not geographically confined to the Middle East but is structurally global in its repercussions, with Africa among the most exposed regions.
Equally sound is the Union’s affirmation that durable peace cannot be achieved through military force but only through sustained diplomatic engagement. Its emphasis on dialogue and mediation underscores a long-established principle of international relations, that coercion may alter tactical balances but rarely resolves the strategic contradictions that generate conflict. In this regard, the AU’s position is normatively aligned with the core tenets of collective security and preventive diplomacy.
Nevertheless, the timing of this statement raises an important institutional concern. Preventive diplomacy derives its legitimacy from anticipation, not retrospection. Silence in the face of an imminent and widely foreseen escalation weakens the moral authority of multilateral actors and diminishes their capacity to shape outcomes. The African Union’s voice would have carried greater weight had it been asserted before the transition from crisis to war.
Yet, the present statement, though overdue, reaffirms Africa’s formal commitment to legality, restraint, and peaceful resolution of disputes. What now remains essential is whether this declaratory position will be translated into sustained diplomatic engagement and a coherent African stance within global decision-making forums.
Africa must not be reduced to a passive observer of wars that reshape the international political economy and the global security architecture. It must function as a consistent advocate for de-escalation, lawful conduct, and negotiated settlement, not episodically, but as a matter of institutional principle.
Retired Lt. Colonel Samsudeen Sarr
Former Commander, The Gambia National Army
