President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan, urging the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other key opposition figures.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), made the vow in a statement released on Monday.
The statement emphasized Tinubu’s position, which was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, also known as the C-5 Plus Summit, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the event.
“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.
“It is also 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,” Tinubu said.
The Nigerian president stated that the country joins other African nations in recognizing the South Sudanese people’s desire for peace, sustainable development, and a speedy resolution of the conflict.
“We support the lofty ambition of all parties and wish to reiterate our doctrinal commitment to accompany the South Sudanese Transitional Government of Unity as well as the good people of the country to actualize their aspiration for lasting peace and development,” he added.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of national unity and elite consensus in advancing the country’s transformation, asking African leaders to prioritize inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections as “the only way to build trust and confidence in the country’s future and leadership.”
He also emphasized Nigeria’s participation in the recently created Regional Partnership for Democracy and drew attention to the negative consequences of insecurity and political tension on South Sudan’s transitional processes, such as security sector reform and constitution writing.
President Ramaphosa praised African leaders for their willingness to end the conflict but also underlined the delay in implementing the revitalized deal, which was endorsed eight years ago.
He described the C-5 Plus Summit as “a demonstration of leaders’ commitment to finding a lasting solution in the interest of the people of South Sudan.”
Meanwhile, Djibouti’s President and IGAD Chairman, Ismail Omar Guelleh, underlined the bloc’s commitment to peace in South Sudan, recommending the establishment of a senior mediator to oversee implementation and resolve developing issues.
Other notable attendees included the AU Commission Chairperson, HE Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, HE Abiy Ahmed Ali; Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune; and representatives from Chad, Rwanda, and other countries.
In a related announcement, Nigeria promised full infrastructure and operational support to the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu noted that the country would provide “office buildings, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel to ensure the Force remains effective in combating transnational organized crimes and enhancing maritime security across the region.”
