President Bola Tinubu has called for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression in Gaza, condemning the ongoing violence and stressing that the conflict in Palestine has caused “immeasurable suffering” for far too long.
Addressing the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, Tinubu expressed grave concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding position on the need for a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in peace and security.
The one-day summit, which was attended by leaders from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States, followed up on the Riyadh summit held the previous year.
In his address, President Tinubu emphasized that the conflict must be resolved, and urged world leaders to act decisively to end the violence.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives”.
He added that the international community had a moral obligation to bring the aggression in Gaza to a halt.
“It is not enough to issue empty condemnations; we must work toward an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Gaza.”
The President emphasized that no political objective, military strategy, or security concern should come at the cost of innocent civilian lives.
He called on all parties involved to uphold international law, particularly the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians.
“In a rules-based international order, states have the right to self-defense. But self-defense must always consider proportionality in line with global legal, diplomatic, and moral frameworks. Entire civilian populations and their future cannot be dismissed as collateral damage,” Tinubu said.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution, emphasizing that this remains the best path to lasting peace in the region.
He framed the solution not just as a diplomatic necessity but as a vision rooted in equality, mutual recognition, and the right to self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“The two-state solution is a beacon of hope, grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition. It is a vision that can only be realized through honest dialogue and respect for history”.
“The path to peace requires compromise and an understanding of the broader context of this conflict, which did not begin on October 7, 2023.”
Tinubu also highlighted the profound impact that images of violence from the conflict, often shared globally via smartphones, have had on the public consciousness.
He urged the international community to find new pathways to peace and reconciliation without further delay.
The President commended King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for organizing the summit, calling it a critical opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts and work toward a sustainable peace process.
He expressed Nigeria’s willingness to support global efforts aimed at ensuring stability and peace in the Middle East, drawing on the country’s own experiences in managing diversity and overcoming internal challenges.
“Nigeria’s experiences, both domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics cannot replace the respect for diversity and the nuances of our differences,” he said.
Tinubu underscored the need for an honest and open dialogue, recognizing the complexities each side faces.
“The path to reconciliation is fraught with challenges, but it is only through sincere conversation that we can foster understanding,” he said.
The President proposed the establishment of a secretariat to oversee the implementation of the summit’s resolutions and ensure their long-term success.
He called for a select group of heads of government to be tasked with rallying global support for the resolutions, with regular updates to the OIC and Arab League leadership until permanent peace is achieved.
Tinubu urged global leaders to work together with sincerity and resolve to address the root causes of the conflict and bring lasting peace to the Middle East.
