At a high-level Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged an immediate end to Israeli aggression in ...
At a high-level Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, highlighting the "immeasurable suffering" faced by Palestinians as the conflict persists. The summit, attended by leaders from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States, focused on addressing the ongoing Middle East crisis.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) on November 11, 2024, President Tinubu stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and advocated for a two-state solution as the path to long-term peace. He underscored the "moral obligation" of the international community to resolve the conflict and prevent further humanitarian impact.
"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," said President Tinubu.
President Tinubu emphasized that no political or security concerns should justify the toll on innocent civilians. He called for all parties to observe international principles of proportionality, protecting civilian rights and adhering to global legal standards.
"In a rules-based international order, States have the right of self-defense. But self-defense 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 stated.
Reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to a two-state solution, Tinubu described it as a "beacon of hope" for mutual recognition and self-determination, underscoring the need for dialogue and historical context.
"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," Tinubu remarked.
Acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s role in convening the summit, President Tinubu praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for creating a critical diplomatic platform to advance peace. Drawing from Nigeria’s experiences, Tinubu remarked that identity politics are no substitute for understanding the "nuances of diversity."
"Our own experiences, domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics are no substitute for respecting the nuances of diversity," he said, stressing that reconciliation can only come through "honest conversation."
President Tinubu proposed the establishment of a secretariat to oversee the implementation of summit resolutions, with appointed Heads of Government gathering global support and reporting on progress toward peace.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, expressing concerns over civilian targeting and restrictions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from delivering aid. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders and encouraged more nations to join the Global Coalition for Palestinian rights, working alongside the European Union and Norway.
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