Tuesday, February 17 2026 - President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of South Sudan’s revitalised peace agreement, urging the immediate and unconditional release of First Vice President Riek Machar and other detained opposition figures.
Tinubu’s position was delivered 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. The meeting was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on
the sidelines of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government and 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.
“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.
He stressed that Nigeria stands with other African nations
in supporting the South Sudanese people’s desire for peace, sustainable
development, and a timely resolution of the ongoing 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 actualise
their aspiration for lasting peace and development,” he added.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of national unity and
elite consensus during South Sudan’s transitional phase, urging African leaders
to prioritise inclusive, peaceful and transparent elections as the foundation
for restoring trust and stability.
He also referenced Nigeria’s involvement in the newly
launched Regional Partnership for Democracy and warned that insecurity and
political tensions continue to undermine key transitional processes, including
security sector reforms and constitutional development.
In his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa acknowledged
that eight years after the revitalised agreement was adopted, implementation
has been slow. He described the C-5 Plus Summit as “a demonstration of the
commitment of leaders to finding a lasting solution in the interest of the
people of South Sudan.”
Djibouti’s President and IGAD Chairman, Ismail Omar Guelleh,
reiterated the bloc’s dedication to peace efforts 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 nations.
Separately, Nigeria pledged full infrastructural and
operational support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu said 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.”
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