President Bola Tinubu has appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution to bring lasting peace to the region.
Addressing the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tinubu condemned the prolonged conflict in Palestine, stressing that it has inflicted immense suffering on countless lives.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering,” Tinubu stated. “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.”
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist securely and with dignity. He emphasized that this solution remains a viable path to lasting peace in the region.
“It is not enough to issue empty condemnations,” Tinubu urged. “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.”
The Nigerian leader called on parties to respect the principles of proportionality and basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks. He emphasized that self-defense must consider proportionality, aligning with international legal, diplomatic, and moral frameworks.
“An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral,” Tinubu stressed. “Achieving a two-state solution 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.”
Tinubu 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 that Nigeria, given its own experiences, would continue to support international efforts advancing peace and stability in the Middle East.
This summit follows the Riyadh summit last year and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.
