Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202312120279.html
Many African states have been grappling with economic challenges such as COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, however another conflict could be on the rise: The Israel-Hamas conflict. This conflict, despite being in the neighboring region of the Middle East, poses a significant threat to the economies of African states, as a significant escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict could impact African economies, with commodities, bonds, currencies, and stock markets potentially seeing drastic swings in prices, which could affect the balance of payment and fiscal positions. The conflict also raises terrorism risks, with groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State aligned groups exploiting tensions in regions like the Sahel.
The Israel-Hamas conflict appears to have far-reaching consequences, and Africa is no exception, as many other states and parts of the world have been affected by this conflict in some way. I also believe that the economic and geopolitical ramifications of the conflict may be significant, with African economies (stocks, prices, bonds, etc.) at risk due to potential market volatility, as the situation that African states are in where they must find ways to prevent conflict amid national issues adds another layer of complexity. Considering that the conflict in Israel/Palestine has been going on for a very long time, the lasting impacts on Africa could perpetuate economic disruptions and security risks.
In class, we’ve discussed the importance of geopolitics, or how the geography of a country can greatly impact its foreign policy. The geographical proximity of the conflict to Africa, as mentioned before, intensifies the impact, as it encourages African states to grapple with economic issues and foreign policy for the well-being of their citizens. If this conflict is ignored, African states would be in a much worse place, as their national security may be weakened, resulting in a weaker economy, a more dangerous environment, and less influence among global actors. The continent must be more careful, as danger looms on the horizon.