Lamola warns SADC of Middle East economic shocks

Des Erasmus

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola told Southern African ministers on Thursday that the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran risked driving up fuel and food costs and worsening debt pressure across the region.

Opening a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers in Pretoria, Lamola said the region was being hit by external shocks at a time when its economies were still recovering from the COVID pandemic and fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war.

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“The current geopolitical climate, including the United States and Israel’s war on Iran and Iran’s retaliation, is already sending shockwaves through our societies,” he said. “Beyond the immediate impact of rising global oil prices, a spike in fertiliser costs is set to drive food prices up and further compromise food security across many of