REFILE: South Africa's Ramaphosa warns of global conflict fallout at Energy Conference in Cape Town

Record ID: 2361205

  • Title: REFILE: South Africa's Ramaphosa warns of global conflict fallout at Energy Conference in Cape Town
  • Date: 4th March 2026
  • Summary: PETAH TIKVA, ISRAEL (MARCH 3, 2026) (REUTERS) SOLDIERS ON ROOF AS SEEN FROM INSIDE APARTMENT, THROUGH HOLE IN CEILING VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS, DAMAGE INSIDE APARTMENT VARIOUS OF DAMAGED VEHICLES AT SECOND SITE OF IMPACT MAN PICKING UP DEBRIS FROM GROUND NEAR DAMAGED VEHICLES PEOPLE AT SITE DAMAGED VEHICLE SHRAPNEL DAMAGE ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCAL RESIDENTS 17-YEAR-OL
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Africa Cape town Crisis Global Iran Israel South Africa humanitarian middle east war
  • Location: CAPE TOWN AND GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA 
  • City: CAPE TOWN AND GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA 
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Africa,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA002080104032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned on Wednesday (March 4) that escalating global conflicts were straining Africa's supply chains and driving up energy prices, cautioning the continent risks becoming a victim of wars beyond its borders.
    The warning comes as tensions in the Middle East have rattled global energy markets, with oil and gas prices surging after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and retaliation by Tehran forced shutdowns of some energy facilities and disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The turmoil has highlighted Africa’s vulnerability to global shocks, particularly for economies heavily dependent on imported fuel and goods, a weakness already exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
    Speaking at the Africa Energy Indaba in Cape Town, Ramaphosa pointed to turmoil in the Middle East as a key factor impacting African economies. "Africa is already experiencing the impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East with strains on supply chains and higher energy prices," he said. "Now we are going to be a victim of conflicts that are taking place far away from where we are."
    Ramaphosa outlined his government's efforts to repatriate South Africans stranded abroad due to instability, emphasizing the need for safe travel conditions. "We are going to make an effort to bring those who are stranded back home," he said. "It will obviously require periods when the air spaces will be open for safe travel, and we will be making all efforts that South Africans who are stranded are brought back home safely."
    He also highlighted South Africa's role in maintaining stability in global trade during times of conflict, saying the country provides critical safe passage for goods and shipping routes during disruptions elsewhere. "Whenever there's turmoil around the world, we always find that we in the south become a safe passage," Ramaphosa added. "We will give safe passage for goods and for ships that can come via our shores."
    Reiterating South Africa's stance, Ramaphosa called for an immediate ceasefire in all ongoing conflicts and stressed the necessity of dialogue to achieve peace. "We have issued a clear statement that we want a ceasefire. We want this madness to come to an end," he said. "Dialogue is always the best way of ending conflict and then ending war. And we want this war to come to an end immediately."
    (Production: Shafiek Tassiem)
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