President Bola Tinubu on Monday, called for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza,
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, urging the international community to take concrete actions beyond “empty condemnations” to end the protracted conflict.
Speaking at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, President Tinubu warned that the Palestinian conflict has endured far too long and called for a united effort to end the violence.
Tinubu expressed grave concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that the ongoing military operations, which began in October 2023 after Hamas attack on Israel, have resulted in devastating consequences.
According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, over 43,000 Palestinians have died since the escalation, with women and children making up approximately 70% of the casualties.
In his address, Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s steadfast support for a two-state solution, emphasizing that both Israelis and Palestinians should have the right to live 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,” he stated.
The President also called on all parties involved to respect proportionality in self-defense, in line with international legal and diplomatic norms, stressing that no military or political strategy should come at the expense of innocent civilian lives.
“An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral,” he declared.
Further, Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s consistent stance on the two-state solution, describing it as more than a diplomatic ideal but a vision rooted in mutual recognition, equality, and self-determination for both peoples.
He emphasized that achieving this goal would require commitment to dialogue and a deep respect for history, noting, “It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context.”
The Nigerian leader also highlighted the global impact of the ongoing violence, noting the widespread effects of the disturbing images of conflict shared globally, which “spread far and quickly,” calling for urgent efforts to find new pathways to peace.
Tinubu commended King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for convening the summit and reiterated Nigeria’s ongoing support for international efforts to advance peace and stability in the Middle East.
He emphasized the importance of engaging in honest dialogue and resolving the conflict through understanding and respect for each side’s complexities.
In conclusion, Tinubu called for the establishment of a secretariat to ensure the implementation of the summit’s resolutions, reaffirming that Nigeria would continue to play an active role in promoting peace in the region.
