President Bola Tinubu on Monday called for an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, stressing that the prolonged conflict in Palestine has caused “immeasurable suffering” and must be addressed without delay. Speaking at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s strong stance on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its support for a peaceful, two-state solution.
The one-day summit, which brought together Heads of State and Government from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States, was convened to discuss the current situation in the Middle East. This summit followed the Riyadh summit held last year.
In his address, President Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting peace efforts, stressing that the conflict has lasted far too long, inflicting suffering on countless innocent lives. He called for a collective effort to bring an immediate end to the violence in Gaza.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives,” President Tinubu said. “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 emphasized that while the international community had issued condemnations, these alone were insufficient. “It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza,” Tinubu declared. “No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives.”
The Nigerian President called on all parties in the conflict to respect the principles of proportionality and the rights of civilians, in line with global legal and diplomatic frameworks. He stressed that self-defense must be exercised in accordance with international norms and should not disregard the rights of civilian populations.
“In a rules-based international order, States have the right of self-defense. But self-defense must take proportionality into account,” Tinubu said. “An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral.”
President Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution, which he described as the only viable path to lasting peace in the region. “The two-state solution is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition,” he said, urging dialogue and compromise as the foundation for peace.
Highlighting the deep historical roots of the conflict, the President acknowledged the complexities involved and called for new approaches to peace. “We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay,” he said. “The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence is huge. We must foster understanding through honest conversations and dialogue.”
Tinubu commended King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their leadership in convening the summit. He called the summit a vital opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts toward sustainable peace and assured that Nigeria would continue to support international efforts to advance stability in the Middle East.
President Tinubu further proposed the establishment of a secretariat to implement the resolutions of the summit, with select leaders tasked with canvassing global support and overseeing the implementation of peace initiatives. “It is our duty to engage in this dialogue with sincerity and resolve,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, including attacks on civilians and the violation of the Al-Aqsa mosque. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote Palestinian statehood based on the 1967 borders and urged more nations to join the Global Coalition for Palestinian statehood, alongside the European Union and Norway.
As the summit concluded, leaders expressed their resolve to work together for peace in the Middle East and to ensure that the rights of all peoples in the region are respected and upheld
