As the conflict between Israel and Iran plunges into a new phase of violence, Senegal says it favours a return to peace and multilateralism, calling for an urgent de-escalation.
The military standoff between Israel and Iran has reached a critical threshold with an unprecedented intensification of airstrikes, massive missile retaliations, and considerable loss of life. In this climate
of extreme tension, Senegal expressed its “deep concern” and issued a solemn call for an immediate ceasefire.
In a statement from the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs published Monday night, Dakar condemned “any act of aggression and violation of international law,” stressing that this escalation represents “a serious threat to international peace and security.”
The Senegalese government advocates for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
This response comes as the conflict dangerously escalates. According to The Guardian and the IRNA news agency, Israel’s “Rising Lion” operation has already killed at least 406 people in Iran, including 14 nuclear scientists and several senior members of the Revolutionary Guards.
In response, Tehran launched “True Promise III,” firing 150 ballistic missiles and nearly 100 suicide drones. Although largely intercepted, these attacks have left at least 24 civilians dead in Israel and hundreds injured, particularly in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Bat Yam.
Faced with this spiral of violence, a Senegalese diplomat also warns of the economic and social repercussions for Africa.
Ambassador Cheikh Niang, former Senegalese representative to the UN, discusses in an analysis the risks of an “exogenous shock” for African countries, calling for a strategic reconfiguration centered on resilience: food sovereignty, energy diversification, and industrial relocation.
The ambassador draws parallels with previous crises – the Yom Kippur War, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine – and warns of a “spiral of imported stagflation” that could hit already weakened African economies.
While global powers such as Russia and China are calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, and the G7 is urging an “immediate de-escalation,” Senegal, through its early and clear stance, aims to weigh in on the diplomatic debate and reiterate the importance of multilateralism and international law.
In Africa, countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin have already reacted, calling for restraint on both sides.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA