President Bola Tinubu, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Tinubu warned that “empty condemnations” are not enough to end the conflict in Palestine, which, he said, “has persisted for far too long.”
The Nigerian leader made this argument at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle East.
President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit of 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed Tinubu’s statement in a release signed on Monday, titled ‘At Saudi Summit, President Tinubu demands an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, calls for realisation of the two-state solution’.
The ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza began in October 2023 after Hamas’ attack, which left scores of Israelis dead.
Since the escalation began, over 43,000 Palestinians have been killed, with approximately 70 per cent of the casualties being women and children, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, exacerbating the dire living conditions for Gaza’s residents.
International organisations have repeatedly called for immediate ceasefires and increased humanitarian aid to address the escalating crisis.
In response to the prolonged conflict, there has been a renewed international push for a two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace.
European, Arab and Muslim nations have launched initiatives to garner support for Palestinian statehood, aiming to build institutions and promote the two-state framework.
Reiterating Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, President Tinubu affirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can co-exist in security and dignity.
He noted that this solution remained a viable part of lasting peace in the region
“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 stated.
The President called on parties in the Middle East conflict to respect the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks.
He argued, “In a rules-based international order, states have the right of self-defence.
“But self-defence 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.”
Explaining Nigeria’s principled and consistent stance on the two-state solution, President Tinubu noted that it stands as a beacon of hope, representing the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination and peace.
“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 7th October 2023.
“It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context,” he affirmed.
Tinubu described the conflict’s impact on history as “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,” he continued.
The Nigerian leader commended King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for convening the summit, describing it as a vital opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts and work toward sustainable peace.
He assured the OIC that Nigeria, given its own experiences, would continue to support international efforts that advance peace and stability in the Middle East.
“Our own experiences, domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics are no substitute for respecting the nuances of diversity,” he said.
According to President Tinubu, “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, recognising the complexities that each side faces.”
Tinubu also called for the establishment of a secretariat to implement the resolutions of the summit.
He urged the leaders to mandate select Heads of Government to canvass support globally and oversee the implementation of the summit resolutions, providing regular reports to a joint OIC and Arab League leadership until permanent peace is achieved in the Middle East.
In his opening remarks, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, including the targeting of civilians and the continued violation of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
He also condemned the Israeli ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees from delivering relief aid to Palestinians and the displacement of Lebanese people.
He emphasised the importance of preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Crown Prince highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting Palestinian statehood based on the 1967 borders, mentioning international recognition and the establishment of a Global Coalition with the European Union and Norway.
He urged more states to join the Global Coalition.
