Africa's Energy Crisis Intensifies Due to Middle East Conflict

Moscow (ANTARA) - Several countries on the African continent are experiencing difficulties in fuel supply amid rising tensions in the Middle East region, according to regional media reports.

In Zambia, petrol reserves of around 40 million litres are sufficient for 23 days at current consumption levels, while kerosene stocks of 65.9 million litres are estimated to last 9.3 days. Jet A-1 aviation fuel reserves are sufficient for 10 days, Efficacy News Africa reported.

In South Africa, shortages of diesel at filling stations are being reported more frequently. To anticipate scarcity, the government plans to diversify supplies, increase oil storage capacity, and accelerate energy infrastructure projects.

In Somalia, the government has imposed new rules on petrol and diesel sales following a more than twofold price surge. Authorities have set profit limits for sellers and fines for violations, while restricting price increases to only Sunday (15/3).

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Energy Regulatory Authority announced a second fuel price increase on Wednesday. Petrol prices rose 27 per cent to 2.17 US dollars (approximately Rp 37,000) per litre, and diesel rose 15 per cent to 2.05 US dollars (approximately Rp 35,000) per litre.

The Zimbabwean government also assured that the country’s fuel reserves are still sufficient for more than three months.

Previously, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Thursday, called on Israel and the US to halt operations against Iran due to the risk of losing control, causing great suffering for civilians and impacting the global economy.

“It is time for the rule of law to prevail over the law of power. It is time for diplomacy to prevail over war,” Guterres told journalists on the sidelines of the European Union leaders’ summit.

The UN Secretary-General also urged Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid US and Israeli military attacks on the country.

Guterres also asked Iran to stop retaliatory attacks on neighbouring countries in the Gulf region, on the grounds that those countries “have never been parties to this conflict.”

“The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing great suffering for many people around the world who have no connection to this conflict,” Guterres emphasised.