Ramaphosa urges ceasefire as Middle East conflict escalates

Image credit: AFPPresident Cyril Ramaphosa has described the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as “calamitous and very concerning” calling for what he termed the “madness” to come to an end.

His remarks come after a series of attacks between the United States, Israel, and Iran since Saturday, 28 February, which have left six US service members dead and  resulted in more than 1,000 reported casualties in Iran.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Indaba in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said South Africa remains open to engaging United States President Donald Trump in efforts to end the conflict.

“We want this madness to come to an end. Donald Trump is very busy right now. He has a war on his hands, and obviously, if the opportunity were to open, we would talk and say – there must be a cease-fire,” Ramaphosa said.

The President added that South Africa would be willing to play a mediatory or supportive role to ease tensions between the three countries.

“I had to speak to some of the heads of state in that area and pass on our commiserations to them. And hope that their own people will be saved, but also to ask them to safeguard the people from our own country. So the world is facing a very dangerous period at the moment,” Ramaphosa added.

The President also addressed concerns about South Africans stranded in the region, insisting that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is working to identify citizens and ensure those stranded are brought home safely.

However, several South Africans have expressed frustration, citing limited outbound flights from the United Arab Emirates and widespread travel disruptions across the Middle East.

More than 20,000 flights have been cancelled in the region. Airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and El Al have suspended most operations. South African Airways and other connecting carriers have also been affected.

Meanwhile the escalating conflict has had devastating humanitarian consequences. At least 165 people – mostly girls between the ages of 7 and 12 – were reportedly killed and at least 95 others injured in a missile attack on Saturday.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and various bodies of the United Nations (UN) have expressed deep concern, warning that the attack undermines the right to education.

UNESCO is deeply alarmed by the impact of the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East on educational institutions, students, and education personnel.

Initial reports indicate that an attack on a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of… pic.twitter.com/RGaqrUetFA

— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) March 1, 2026

UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, has called for a prompt and impartial investigation into the circumstances into the deadly incident.

“The fear, the panic, the anxiety experienced by millions of people in the Middle East and beyond is palpable and was entirely avoidable. The situation is worsening and widening by the hour, playing out our worst fears,” UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said.

The US has said it would not deliberately target a school and is reviewing the reports, while Israel maintains it was not aware of operations in the area but is investigating the circumstances.

Written by: Realeboga Nke