President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the prompt implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan, urging authorities in the country to release First Vice President Riek Machar and other detained opposition leaders without delay.
The position was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President). Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, known as the C-5 Plus Summit, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, alongside the 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The meeting was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
During the summit, Tinubu called on the South Sudanese government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Machar and other key opposition figures. He also stressed the importance of convening an inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation forum, urging all parties involved to participate constructively in the mediation process without attaching conditions.
According to the statement, Nigeria aligns with other African nations in acknowledging the South Sudanese people’s desire for stability, development, and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict. Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to supporting the Transitional Government of National Unity and the citizens of South Sudan in their pursuit of sustainable peace and progress.
He emphasised that national unity and consensus among political elites are essential for advancing the country’s transitional process. The President further encouraged African leaders to prioritise peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections, describing them as critical to restoring trust and confidence in South Sudan’s leadership and future.
Tinubu also referenced Nigeria’s participation in the recently launched Regional Partnership for Democracy and highlighted how insecurity and political tensions have slowed key transitional activities, including security sector reforms and the drafting of a new constitution.
In his remarks, President Ramaphosa praised African leaders for their continued engagement in efforts to resolve the conflict, noting that the revitalised peace agreement remains only partially implemented eight years after its signing. He described the C-5 Plus Summit as a clear indication of the continent’s determination to find a durable solution for the people of South Sudan.
Similarly, Djibouti’s President and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ismail Omar Guelleh, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to lasting peace in South Sudan. He proposed appointing a lead mediator to oversee the implementation of agreements and address emerging challenges.
The summit was attended by several African leaders and representatives, including the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali; Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune; as well as delegates from Chad, Rwanda, and other member states.
In a related development, Nigeria pledged full logistical and infrastructural support to the Combined Maritime Task Force operating in the Gulf of Guinea. Tinubu said Nigeria would provide facilities, vessels, helicopters, and temporary personnel to strengthen the force’s capacity to tackle transnational organised crime and enhance maritime security across the region.
