During a meeting with Middle Eastern leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, President Bola Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s ongoing support for global initiatives aimed at fostering peace and stability across the Middle East.
This commitment was articulated at the Arab-Islamic Summit, as reported in a press release by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated November 11, 2024.
The summit brought together key stakeholders to address the current challenges in the Middle East, with significant attention on the humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza and Palestine, amid the ongoing hostilities involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed factions.
President Tinubu urged for an immediate cessation of violence in Gaza, highlighting that “the conflict in Palestine has lasted far too long, causing untold suffering.”
He made clear on Nigeria’s call for a swift ceasefire in Gaza and affirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution that would enable both Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully and with dignity.
“The situation in Palestine has dragged on for far too long, resulting in immense suffering for countless individuals,” he remarked.
“As representatives of nations that uphold justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we bear a collective moral responsibility to swiftly bring this conflict to an end.”
“It is insufficient to merely issue statements of condemnation. The global community must actively work to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has continued for far too long. No political ambition, military strategy, or security concern should justify the suffering of innocent lives,” he emphasized.
Tinubu also pointed out that while nations have the right to defend themselves, such actions must adhere to principles of proportionality, consistent with international law and ethical standards.
He further asserted that the plight of an entire civilian population, along with their hopes and aspirations, cannot be regarded as mere collateral damage.
