President Tinubu urges the immediate release of South Sudan VP Riek Machar and backs full implementation of the revitalised peace agreement

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the immediate and unconditional release of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the full implementation of the country’s revitalised peace agreement.

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Tinubu’s position was conveyed 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, held in Addis Ababa on the margins of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

In a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Tinubu urged South Sudanese authorities to prioritise reconciliation.

“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,” he said.

The summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who acknowledged delays in implementing the revitalised agreement eight years after its endorsement.

Tinubu emphasised the importance of national unity, elite consensus, and inclusive dialogue, urging all parties to engage constructively in mediation efforts without preconditions.

He stressed that peaceful, transparent, and credible elections remain essential to building trust and securing South Sudan’s democratic transition.

The Nigerian leader also highlighted the country’s participation in the Regional Partnership for Democracy and warned that insecurity and political tensions continue to undermine security sector reforms and constitution drafting efforts in South Sudan.

Other prominent attendees included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, alongside regional representatives.

Nigeria Pledges Maritime Support

In a related development, Tinubu pledged Nigeria’s full infrastructural and operational backing for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea.

He said Nigeria would provide office facilities, naval vessels, helicopters, and temporary personnel to strengthen regional efforts against transnational organised crime and maritime insecurity.

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The renewed diplomatic push underscores Nigeria’s broader commitment to African peacekeeping, democratic stability, and regional security cooperation.