Nigeria has been advised not to take sides in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestine islamist militant group Hamas.
This call was made by the renowned professor of Political science and respected diplomat, Bolaji Akinyemi on
Channels Television’s Sunday politics
The Israel-Hamas war has not only claimed a lot of casualties on both ends but has also created an humanitarian crisis, especially in Gaza strip.
Although, Nigerian Government had called for de-escalation and ceasefire between both warring parties, Prof Akinyemi, who is also a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) country has now strongly advised to remain neutral and not profess support for any sides in the war.
He said, “We should be neutral. I congratulate President Tinubu for the position he’s taken. We should be for peace, we should be calling for a ceasefire, we should be calling for humanitarian corridors that allow water, medicine, food to be going in.
“We should also be suggesting the way forward, ultimate way forward: 1948 United Nations Resolution creating two states – the Palestinian State and an Israeli State; those are the things that are key to a resolution of the conflict in that place.
“We should not take sides and we don’t need to take sides. And in any case, the problem in that place is so complex. There are no good guys and there are no bad guys. So, there is no need for us to be righteous in our position.”
The war between Israel and the Palestinians is coming when the Russia and Ukraine war was yet to subside.
Hamas militants from Gaza stormed across the border into Israel on October 7 and launched a raid that killed at least 1,400.
They also seized more than 200 hostages in the worst-ever attack in Israel’s history.
Israel has hit back with a relentless bombing campaign which has so far killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry