President speaks at AU summit in Addis Ababa, calls for all-inclusive national dialogue as regional leaders warn eight-year peace agreement is stalled
President Bola Tinubu has issued a strong call for the immediate and unconditional release of South Sudan's First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other detained opposition figures, warning that without inclusive dialogue and elite consensus, the world's youngest nation risks sliding further into instability.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C-5 Plus Summit) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tinubu delivered a message that was both diplomatic and unequivocal.
'Release Them Now'
"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 stated during the summit, chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the margins of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government .
The Nigerian leader emphasized that sustainable peace requires more than ceasefires—it demands genuine reconciliation. "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".
A Nation's Longing for Peace
Tinubu framed Nigeria's intervention as a reflection of continental solidarity with the South Sudanese people's aspirations.
"We join other African nations in recognising the South Sudanese people's desire for peace, sustainable development, and a speedy resolution of the conflict," he said .
He reiterated Nigeria's "doctrinal commitment" to accompany South Sudan's transitional government and citizens in their journey toward lasting peace and development, stressing that national unity and elite consensus are crucial to progress .
Elections as the Only Path
The president urged 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 drew attention to how insecurity and political tension have derailed critical transitional processes, including security sector reforms and constitution drafting .
Eight Years, Little Progress
President Ramaphosa commended the collective determination of African leaders to resolve the conflict but acknowledged a sobering reality: eight years after the revitalised peace agreement was endorsed, implementation remains stalled.
Djiboutian President and IGAD Chairman Ismail Omar Guelleh proposed the appointment of a lead mediator to monitor implementation and address emerging challenges, reaffirming the regional bloc's commitment to peace .
Nigeria's Maritime Pledge
In a related development, Tinubu announced Nigeria's full infrastructural and operational support for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea. The country will provide "office buildings, ships, helicopters, and temporary personnel to ensure the Force remains effective in combating transnational organised crimes and enhancing maritime security across the region" .
Who Was There
The summit drew key African leaders including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and representatives from Chad, Rwanda, and other nations. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was also in attendance .
For South Sudan, Tinubu's message was clear: Africa is watching, and Nigeria stands ready to help—but the first step must be the release of those whose freedom is essential to any meaningful peace.
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