Africa today is largely divided along religious lines. Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in Africa, with around 105 million identifying as Muslims. Egypt follows with 90.4 million, and then Algeria with 39.4 million Muslims. The northern part of Nigeria has been unstable for decades, partly because of Islamic extremists occupying it. We have painfully watched videos from northern Nigeria where radicalized Islamic extremists behead Christians without provocation.
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has made matters worse. Many African commentators on social media have taken sides not based on logic and reason, but on religious affiliation. It is troubling to see African communities taking sides in the Iran-Israel conflict, with some Christians viewing Israel as “holy” and Muslims pledging solidarity with Iran. This is a tragic misreading of history and theology.
Let us remember: Jesus is not recognized as the Messiah in Judaism. He was rejected and crucified by the Jewish authorities of the time. Ironically, Jews hold Cyrus the Great of Persia (Iran) in higher regard than they do Jesus. Cyrus is even honoured in the Jewish Bible for liberating the Israelites from Babylonian captivity.
Therefore, aligning with either side based on religious assumptions is both misguided and dangerous. Neither Israel nor Iran sees Africa as a central player in their conflict. Their struggle is rooted in regional power politics, not shared African interests.
Pan-Africanism: The Way Forward
Pan-Africanism calls for unity among African peoples—across countries, cultures, and religions. Its foundation lies in self-determination, economic liberation, cultural pride, and continental solidarity. Instead of importing religious hatred or foreign wars, Africans must urgently focus on our own struggles:
Poverty is ravaging millions across the continent.
Hunger and malnutrition are killing children every day.
Corruption and bad governance continue to stifle development.
Education systems remain broken.
Armed conflict and coups threaten peace and progress.
Let us not allow foreign wars to become our war. We must reject the manipulation of African emotions and divisions in favour of real unity and progress.
Conclusion: Peace Over Hate, Unity Over Division
As Pan-Africanists, our loyalty lies first with Africa and her people. We must remind ourselves that imported religions should never override our common humanity or divide our shared destiny. Africans must resist being pawns in the geopolitical chessboard of others.
We call upon Israel and Iran to choose diplomacy over destruction, and we call upon Africans to prioritize African issues: to rebuild schools, start more Humanist schools across the continent, reform leadership, end hunger, and create a future rooted in our own cultural identity and values.
Only through unity, self-awareness, and peacebuilding can we fulfil the Pan-African dream. Let us rise above religious divisions and foreign wars—and build the Africa we want, together.
Lastly, and very importantly, let’s call upon Israel, Iran, and their backers to choose peace instead of war, and to return to the peace-making table and talk peace.
Let us pay attention to the wise counsel from Bertrand Russell:
“War does not determine who is right, but who is left.”
In other words, nothing good ever comes out of war. Let us not be blinded by our own hubris and allow the current escalation to divert our attention away from talking about the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, or the people under constant hostilities in Northern Nigeria, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Congo, among others.
Let us be the true leaders we ought to be, because leadership is not about being the best—but about making everyone else better.
We are the African elites. Let us provide the much-needed leadership to empower our people out of poverty.
By Kato Mukasa
