Kenyan Businessman Nazir Jinnah Advocates For Peace As Israel-Iran Conflict Intensifies

Nairobi - As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, Kenyan businessman Nazir Jinnah has stepped forward to join global calls for restraint.

He joins a growing list of global leaders urging de-escalation and peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has the potential to disrupt global stability and impact African nations still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Jinnah's plea for peace is grounded in a deep concern for the consequences of conflict in Africa, a continent striving to recover from the economic downturn caused by the COVID pandemic.

In a statement, he said Africa, like many regions, is vulnerable to the ripple effects of international conflicts, particularly in terms of trade disruptions and economic instability.

"The impact of a conflict between Israel and Iran would be far-reaching, affecting not just the Middle East but also Africa and other regions. It is crucial that we prioritise dialogue and diplomacy over military action to prevent further destabilisation and suffering," Jinnah remarked.

What will be the effects of Iran-Israeli war?

According to him, Africa's economic recovery is already fragile, with many countries facing challenges such as rising inflation, currency depreciation, and high unemployment rates.

He argued that conflict in the Middle East could exacerbate these challenges, leading to increased food and fuel prices, further straining already limited resources.

Nazir noted that African businesses, particularly those reliant on stable international markets, could face significant disruptions.

The uncertainty created by the conflict could deter foreign investment and hinder access to global markets, impeding economic growth and development.

"We must remember the devastating impact that war has on communities, families, and economies," Jinnah emphasised.

William Ruto condemns Iran's attack on Israel

Kenya’s President William Ruto like his US counterpart Joe Biden has called for restraint between Israel and Iran to ensure the crisis does not escalate further.

"Kenya urges Israel to show utmost restraint taking into account the urgent need for all parties to walk away from the brink beyond which recovery will be enormously difficult," President Ruto said.

Iran launches drones, missiles in attack on Israel

Iran launched the attack, its first ever to directly target Israeli territory, in retaliation for a deadly air strike widely blamed on Israel that destroyed its consular building in Syria's capital in early April 2024.

Israel and its allies intercepted the vast majority of the incoming projectiles, the Israeli army said, reporting 12 people injured and no deaths, but the attack has sharply heightened fears of an Israeli counterstrike.

The above commentary belongs to Nazir Jinnah, a hotelier and businessman currently serving as the English Point Marina director.

The views expressed here are the writer’s and do not in any way represent the position of TUKO.co.ke.