By Kevin Akor
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a stark warning Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, cautioning that the intensification of military actions in the Gulf region threatens to destabilize global energy markets and food supply chains essential to the African continent.
In a formal statement released from Abuja, the regional bloc—currently chaired by Sierra Leonean President Dr. Julius Maada Bio—aligned itself with the African Union in expressing “deep concern” over the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
The commission warned that the conflict risks widening instability with “serious consequences for international peace and security in general and for global energy markets, trade, and food supply chains especially for Africa and other vulnerable regions”.
ECOWAS officials called on all combatants to exercise “maximum restraint” and return to the framework of international law. The statement emphasized that any further military action must be weighed against the principles of the United Nations Charter, specifically the “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes”.
The bloc’s appeal for de-escalation comes at a critical time for West African economies, many of which remain highly sensitive to fluctuations in global oil prices and shipping disruptions.
“The protection of civilian lives and critical infrastructure must remain paramount,” the commission stated, while urging a shift toward “renewed diplomatic efforts within established international and regional frameworks in order to promote dialogue, reduce tensions and restore stability”.
By endorsing the African Union’s position, ECOWAS reaffirmed West Africa’s broader commitment to multilateralism as the primary vehicle for resolving the crisis.
