President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan. He urged the immediate and unconditional release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other detained opposition figures.
The pledge was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, spoke at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, also known as the C-5 Plus Summit. The meeting was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. It was chaired by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
“We wish to specifically call on the government to consider the immediate and unconditional release from detention of the Vice President and other key opposition figures,” Tinubu said.
He also stressed the need for an all-inclusive national dialogue in South Sudan.
“It is imperative to convene an all-inclusive South Sudan national dialogue and reconciliation forum. We call on all parties to engage constructively with authorities in the mediation process without preconditions,” he added.
The Nigerian leader said Nigeria stands with other African nations in recognising the South Sudanese people’s desire for peace, sustainable development, and a quick resolution of the conflict.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to support the South Sudanese Transitional Government of National Unity and its citizens in achieving lasting peace and development.
Tinubu emphasised that national unity and elite consensus are critical to progress. He urged African leaders to prioritise inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections as the only way to build trust and confidence in the country’s leadership and future.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s role in the recently launched Regional Partnership for Democracy. According to him, insecurity and political tension continue to undermine South Sudan’s transitional processes, including security sector reforms and constitution drafting.
President Ramaphosa commended African leaders for their determination to resolve the conflict. He noted that the revitalised peace agreement has faced delays, eight years after it was endorsed.
He described the C-5 Plus Summit as a demonstration of leaders’ commitment to finding a lasting solution for the people of South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Djibouti’s President and Chairman of IGAD, Ismail Omar Guelleh, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to peace in South Sudan. He proposed the appointment of a lead mediator to monitor the implementation of the agreement and address emerging challenges.
Other key attendees included the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed; and Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, alongside representatives from Chad, Rwanda, and other nations.
In a related development, Nigeria pledged full infrastructural and operational support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu said Nigeria would provide office buildings, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel to ensure the Force remains effective in combating transnational organised crimes and enhancing maritime security across the region.
