Tinubu seeks end to Gaza war, supports two-state solution

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia called for an end to Israeli, Gaza war, warning that “the conflict in Palestine had persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering.”

He said: “It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to the Israeli aggression, which has persisted for far too long.

“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives.”

Addressing the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle East, Tinubu expressed deep concern on the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit last year, and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.

Reiterating Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Tinubu affirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution, where both Israeli and Palestinians can co-exist in security and dignity.

He noted that the solution remained a viable part to lasting peace in the region.

‘’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.

“No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives,’’ he said.

The Nigerian leader called on parties in the conflict in the Middle East to respect the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks.

‘’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,’’ he said.

Explaining Nigeria’s principled and consistent stance on the two-state solution, Tinubu noted that it stood 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 October 7 in 2023. It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context,’’ he said.

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 a sustainable peace.

He assured the summit that Nigeria, given its 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.

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.

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.