President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, emphasizing the long-standing conflict in Palestine and the immense suffering it has caused.
Speaking at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, organized to address the situation in the Middle East, President Tinubu expressed grave concern over the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The one-day summit followed last year’s Riyadh summit and brought together Heads of State and Government from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.
Call for an Immediate Ceasefire
President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reaffirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution, advocating for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, grounded in security and dignity.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives.
As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring about an immediate end to this conflict. It is not enough to issue empty condemnations.
The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long. No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives,” Tinubu declared.
The Nigerian president urged all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to the principles of proportionality and to respect civilians’ fundamental rights, in accordance with global legal and diplomatic standards.
“In a rules-based international order, States have the right to self-defense. But self-defense must take proportionality into account, in line with global legal, diplomatic—and moral—frameworks. An entire civilian population, their dreams, and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral,” he said.
Advocacy for a Two-state Solution
President Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s steadfast support for a two-state solution, which he described as a vision of equality and mutual recognition for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“It is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition. Achieving this vision requires a commitment to dialogue and respect for history. We all know this conflict did not begin on October 7, 2023.
It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context. This conflict, in the cradle of history, is so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly.
The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence, repeated on a billion smartphones around the world, is huge. We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay,” Tinubu emphasized.
He praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for convening the summit, which he called a crucial opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts for sustainable peace.
Commitment to Peace and Stability
President Tinubu assured that Nigeria, drawing from its own experiences, would continue to support international efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East.
He highlighted the lessons Nigeria has learned about the importance of respecting diversity and the perils of identity politics.
“Our own experiences, domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics are no substitute for respecting the nuances of diversity. The path to reconciliation may be fraught with challenges, but it is through honest conversation that we can foster understanding.
The international community has the opportunity to bring to bear new thinking on this most relentless challenge. It is our duty to engage in this dialogue with sincerity and resolve, recognizing the complexities that each side faces,” Tinubu stated.
Proposal for a Summit Secretariat
President Tinubu also proposed the establishment of a secretariat to ensure the implementation of the Summit’s resolutions.
He urged leaders to select Heads of Government to mobilize global support and oversee the implementation, providing regular updates to both the OIC and Arab League leadership until permanent peace is secured in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in his opening remarks, condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, criticizing the targeting of civilians and the continued violations at the Al-Aqsa mosque.
He also denounced the ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from delivering aid to Palestinians and highlighted the significance of preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.