President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East, cautioning that the recent military actions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran pose economic risks to Africa.
The President made this statement on Monday during a bilateral meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the State House in Arusha, Tanzania.
He noted that the attacks, which occurred just two days before the meeting, are creating new geopolitical tensions in a region that serves as the epicenter of global oil supplies.
“We are watching the geopolitical events with alarm. Recently, just two days ago, attacks on Iran by US and Israel and counter-attacks by Iran on the Gulf countries is creating new geopolitical events,” President Mahama stated.
He warned that when crude oil prices rise above a certain level, it has a negative effect on African countries, stressing the need for the continent to prepare to protect its people from such economic shocks.
President Mahama called for the cessation of the conflict and a return to dialogue to restore peace to the Middle East region.
“We know that these shocks will come. But when they come, we must prepare ourselves to make sure that our people are protected,” the President said.
The President was in Tanzania for the official opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and 20th Anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, where he delivered the keynote address.
During the bilateral meeting, President Mahama revealed that Ghana will table a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on March 25, 2026, to have the transatlantic slave trade recognized as the gravest crime against humanity.
He disclosed that the resolution was passed unanimously at the 39th African Union Summit and that Tanzania will chair a high-level event on slavery scheduled for March 24, one day before the resolution is tabled.
The President described the resolution as an urgent first step in the call for reparations and a platform for continuing the issue of restitutive justice.
President Mahama noted that he serves as the African Union Champion on Reparations, revealing that the AU declared 2025 the year of reparative justice and extended it to the decade of reparations.
He expressed gratitude to Tanzania for their support and also agreeing to chair the event.
The President urged African countries that have not yet ratified the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to do so, expressing confidence that his visit and the profile it gives the court on its 20th anniversary will convince more countries to ratify.
He expressed pride that the African Court is located in Arusha, describing it as a court Africans can be proud of for its ability to adjudicate issues concerning human rights and peoples’ rights on the continent.
President Mahama was accompanied to the bilateral meeting by Ghana’s Foreign Minister and the country’s Ambassador to Kenya, who holds concurrent accreditation to Tanzania.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
