Tinubu calls for global action to end conflict in Gaza

• President Bola Ahmed urged world leaders at the Riyadh summit to take decisive steps to end violence in Gaza
• Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire, stressing that military strategies should not prioritise gains at the expense of civilian lives
• He highlighted the harmful effects of the conflict’s media portrayal, noting the urgency of finding new pathways to peace

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for decisive global action to end the ongoing violence in Gaza, urging world leaders to move beyond symbolic condemnations.

Speaking before leaders of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States at an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11, Tinubu urged the international community to move beyond symbolic gestures and implement concrete measures to resolve the crisis.

Highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict, Tinubu described the violence as “Israeli aggression” against the Palestinian people, stressing that the world must now prioritise action over rhetoric.

"The time for empty condemnations has passed. Only meaningful, coordinated action can bring lasting peace to the region," he asserted.

Tinubu calls for ceasefire

President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasising the need for a solution that respects the sanctity of human life and upholds humanitarian values.

He warned against military strategies that disregard civilian safety, saying, "No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives."

The Nigerian leader underscored the necessity of respecting the principles of proportionality and civilian rights within international law.

He stated, "In a rules-based international order, States have the right of self-defence. However, 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."

Support for a two-state solution

Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution as the only viable pathway to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

He explained that this approach represents the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination and coexistence in security and dignity. "This is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition," Tinubu noted.

He further emphasised that achieving this vision requires dialogue and respect for historical context. "We all know this conflict did not begin on October 7, 2023. It can only be resolved through principled compromise based on a proper appreciation of the historical context," Tinubu remarked.

Renewed diplomatic efforts

Tinubu commended King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for convening the summit, describing it as a vital platform to renew diplomatic efforts towards sustainable peace.

He reiterated Nigeria's readiness to support international initiatives to foster stability in the Middle East, citing the country’s experience with conflict resolution.

"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," he stated.

Tinubu also expressed concern over the global impact of the conflict’s media portrayal, saying, "The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence, repeated on a billion smartphones around the world, is huge. We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay."

The one-day summit served as a follow-up to last year's Riyadh summit, bringing together heads of state and government to address pressing issues in the Middle East.

President Tinubu’s speech was seen as a strong appeal for coordinated global action and a clear stance on Nigeria’s position in supporting peace and stability in the region.

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Israel-Iran conflict

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting at Iran's request following Israeli missile strikes in retaliation for an attack attributed to Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the "precise and powerful" strikes on Iran were a success, stating that they achieved

their intended objectives.