The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has voiced strong concern over rising hostilities in the Gulf region, cautioning that the deepening conflict could further destabilise the Middle East and spark significant global repercussions.
In a statement released under the chairmanship of Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, the regional bloc aligned itself with the position earlier expressed by the African Union Commission, which had also raised alarm over the deteriorating security situation.
ECOWAS warned that sustained military escalation could widen instability across the Middle East, posing serious threats to international peace and security. The bloc highlighted potential knock-on effects on global energy markets, international trade routes and food supply chains — developments that could disproportionately affect Africa and other vulnerable regions already battling economic strain.
Calling for calm, ECOWAS urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint and strictly observe the provisions of the United Nations Charter, as well as established principles of international law. It stressed the importance of upholding sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of disputes as cornerstones of global stability.
The regional body further emphasised the need to prioritise the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, warning that prolonged hostilities could worsen humanitarian conditions and deepen existing fragilities.
Advocating renewed diplomatic engagement, ECOWAS encouraged the use of established regional and international mechanisms to pursue dialogue and de-escalation. Reaffirming its commitment to multilateral cooperation, the bloc reiterated West Africa’s longstanding support for peaceful conflict resolution.
The statement, issued from Abuja, comes amid growing international appeals for restraint as tensions in the Gulf continue to rise, heightening fears of broader geopolitical and economic fallout.