Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has said he does not believe the world will witness a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict in his lifetime, though he maintains it is ultimately inevitable.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Akinyemi said progress in international relations often takes time, stressing that while peace in the Middle East will eventually come, it is unlikely to happen soon given current US political dynamics.
“I don’t believe we will see the two-state solution in my lifetime,” Akinyemi said. “Progress made in international relations is usually gradual, unless it is a major war that reverses things. I don’t see the United States backing that two-state solution in the next 10 years. But it will come it is inevitable.”
He noted that American public opinion is slowly shifting against Israel, suggesting that future US voters may drive a more pro-Palestinian policy. “If you look at public opinion polls in the United States, the people not the government have gradually turned against Israel,” he said. “A time is going to come when Israel’s supporters will no longer dictate the outcome of elections in the United States.”
Akinyemi also expressed scepticism about the peace plan brokered by former US President Donald Trump, describing it as “a programme that is not thought through.” He said Trump bypassed the United Nations, which has more experience in coordinating peacekeeping efforts.
“The United Nations may be slow in coming to a conclusion, but it plans to make sure there are no loopholes. Trump’s 20-stage programme has left a lot of loopholes. He may end up giving multinational troops a bad name.”
He also urged a rethink of governance structures in Palestinian territories, stressing that genuine democracy cannot exist under occupation. “You can only democratise if you remove the Israeli boots from the neck of the Palestinians,” Akinyemi said. “How could you have elections when they are controlled totally including the collection of taxes by Israel? It is Israel that dictates governance in the West Bank and Gaza.”
He accused Trump of pursuing peace in the Middle East for personal recognition rather than genuine stability. “Trump was racing to meet the deadline for the Nobel Peace Prize. He didn’t get experts to sit down and really put teeth into the plan.”
On the reconstruction and governance in Gaza, Akinyemi warned that peace efforts would fail if Arab nations are excluded from the process. “I don’t think Arab countries will underwrite an Israeli plan or an American peace plan that ignores the Palestinians. If the Palestinians are brought on board, then Saudi Arabia and Qatar may be prepared to put the money down.”
He further emphasised that for true peace to emerge, Israel must ease its control over Palestinian territories. “You can only democratise if you remove the Israeli boots from the neck of the Palestinians,” Akinyemi stated. “How could you have elections when they are controlled totally including the collection of taxes by Israel?”
He also concluded that while the path to peace remains uncertain, a two-state solution will eventually happen when global and regional forces align to demand justice and balance in the Middle East. “It will come,” Akinyemi said. “It is inevitable but not in my lifetime. When the balance of forces changes, when the world begins to demand justice and fairness, then the two-state solution will happen.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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