President Bola Tinubu has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, urging concrete steps toward national reconciliation and political stability in the troubled East African nation.

A key component of Nigeria’s position is the immediate and unconditional release of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, alongside other detained opposition figures.

President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call on Sunday at the African Union (AU) High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, the C-5 Plus Summit, chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“We 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 national dialogue and reconciliation forum. All parties must engage constructively in the mediation process without preconditions,” Tinubu stated.

The President noted that Nigeria joined other African nations in recognising the desire of South Sudanese stakeholders for peace, sustainable development and a speedy resolution of the protracted conflict.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s “doctrinal commitment” to accompany the South Sudanese Transitional Government of National Unity and its citizens in the pursuit of lasting peace and development.

“We cannot allow South Sudan to continue on its current trajectory. Without national unity and elite consensus, little progress can be made on the transition programme,” he said, while urging African leaders to prevail on stakeholders to prioritise inclusive, peaceful and transparent national elections as a pathway to restoring trust and confidence in governance.

Tinubu added that Nigeria’s recent launch of a Regional Partnership for Democracy, in collaboration with development partners, forms part of its broader contribution to peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan and across the continent.

He observed that persistent insecurity and political tension were slowing progress in critical areas such as security-sector reforms and constitution drafting.

In his opening remarks, President Ramaphosa commended African leaders for sustaining diplomatic efforts toward conflict resolution, describing their engagement as a reflection of collective commitment to peace in South Sudan.

He, however, expressed concern over the slow implementation of the revitalised agreement nearly eight years after its endorsement.

Ramaphosa also acknowledged the roles of the United Nations and development partners, noting that the C-5 Plus Summit underscored the resolve of African leaders to secure a lasting solution for the South Sudanese people.

Similarly, Djibouti’s President and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ismail Omar Guelleh, said joint efforts by IGAD, the AU and other partners had helped sustain the longest ceasefire since the conflict began.

He proposed the appointment of a lead mediator to monitor implementation, assess progress and address emerging challenges in the peace process.

Other participants at the meeting included the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed; Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune; and representatives of the presidents of Chad and Rwanda, among other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has pledged full infrastructural and operational support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea, committing to provide office facilities, naval vessels, helicopters and temporary personnel as host of the force’s headquarters.

Speaking earlier at the AU Assembly, Vice President Shettima said the move reflected Nigeria’s determination to strengthen regional maritime security and combat transnational organised crimes.

“As host of this taskforce, Nigeria will provide infrastructure, including office buildings, ships, helicopters and temporary personnel, to ensure the force remains effective in enhancing maritime security across the region,” he said.

Nigeria also welcomed progress on the African Standby Force and called for accelerated implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the AU Commission and Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms.

The Vice President further advocated deeper analysis toward activating the African Court of Justice and intensified efforts to secure ratification of the African Parliament protocol.