00:00The intensifying military action in the Middle East will have serious consequences for Africa,
00:05the West African economic community ECOWAS has said in a statement.
00:11ECOWAS joins the African Union in expressing deep concern over the conflict,
00:15which began when Israel and the U.S. launched strikes against Iran early on Saturday.
00:21Africa and other vulnerable regions will be particularly affected, ECOWAS said.
00:28Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has also warned of serious economic disruptions for the African continent.
00:35With 30-40% of the world's oil transit going through the Strait of Hormuz,
00:40Sonko said the conflict could lead to a surge in energy prices and a widespread increase in the cost of
00:47living.
00:48Morocco, meanwhile, has activated a crisis unit to address the concerns of Moroccans living in the Middle East.
00:54The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it's closely monitoring developments in the region
00:59and made telephone numbers available to its expatriate community.
01:04In a statement on Saturday, the African Union called for restraint, urgent de-escalation and sustained dialogue.
01:13The conflict has serious implications for energy markets, food security and economic resilience,
01:20AU chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssef said.
01:24He noted that in Africa, conflict and economic pressures remain acute.
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