President Bola Tinubu has called for the unconditional release of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other detained opposition leaders, emphasizing Nigeria’s continued support for the swift implementation of the country’s revitalized peace agreement.
The position was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C-5 Plus Summit), held in Addis Ababa, alongside the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Tinubu stressed the urgency of convening an all-inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation forum in South Sudan, urging all parties to participate constructively in the mediation process without preconditions.
“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. “Nigeria stands with the African community in supporting the South Sudanese people’s desire for peace, sustainable development, and a timely resolution of the ongoing conflict.”
He also highlighted the need for national unity and elite consensus during South Sudan’s transitional phase, calling for inclusive, transparent, and peaceful elections as a foundation for restoring trust and stability. Tinubu referenced Nigeria’s participation in the newly launched Regional Partnership for Democracy, noting that insecurity and political tensions continue to challenge transitional processes such as security sector reforms and constitutional development.
In his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa acknowledged that eight years after the revitalized agreement was signed, implementation remains slow, describing the C-5 Plus Summit as a demonstration of leaders’ commitment to a lasting solution for the people of South Sudan. Ismail Omar Guelleh, IGAD Chairman, reaffirmed the bloc’s dedication to peace and proposed appointing a lead mediator to oversee implementation and address emerging challenges.
Other attendees included AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and representatives from Chad, Rwanda, and other African nations.
Separately, Nigeria pledged full infrastructural and operational support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea, including office facilities, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel, to enhance maritime security and combat transnational organized crime in the region.
This intervention underlines Nigeria’s dual role in promoting peace within Africa and safeguarding regional security through practical support and diplomatic engagement.
Source: Africa Publicity
