Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the swift execution of South Sudan’s revitalised peace agreement, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other detained opposition leaders.
Tinubu’s message was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, known as the C-5 Plus Summit. The meeting took place in Addis Ababa during the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government and was chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa.
Nigeria urged South Sudan’s authorities to prioritise reconciliation, including convening an inclusive national dialogue forum and ensuring all parties participate in mediation efforts without preconditions. Tinubu stressed that Nigeria stands alongside other African nations in supporting peace, stability and sustainable development in South Sudan.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to accompanying the South Sudanese Transitional Government of Unity through its transition process and encouraged African leaders to promote unity, elite consensus and credible elections as foundations for lasting peace.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that progress on implementing the revitalised agreement has been slow eight years after its adoption but described the summit as a renewed effort to secure a durable resolution for the South Sudanese people.
Ismail Omar Guelleh, Chair of IGAD, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to peace efforts and proposed appointing a lead mediator to address emerging challenges in the implementation process.
Other participants included AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, alongside representatives from several African nations.
Separately, Tinubu pledged Nigeria’s full infrastructural and operational backing for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea, promising support including office facilities, naval vessels, helicopters and personnel to strengthen maritime security and combat transnational crime in the region.
