President Bola Tinubu has declared Nigeria’s renewed support for the South Sudan peace process, advocating for the swift implementation of the revitalised agreement on conflict resolution.

Mr Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, stated this at the African Union High-Level Ad hoc Committee for South Sudan, tagged the C-5 Plus Summit, which was chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

The event was held on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The president also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s First Vice-President, Riek Machar, and other key opposition figures.

“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,” he declared.

Mr Tinubu said Nigeria joins other African countries in acknowledging the efforts and desire of South Sudanese stakeholders and people 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 actualise their aspiration for lasting peace and development.

“We cannot allow South Sudan to continue on its current trajectory. Without national unity and elite consensus, not much can be achieved on the transition programme in South Sudan,” noted Mr Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu urged African leaders to prevail on the country’s stakeholders to “prioritise the conduct of inclusive, peaceful, and transparent national elections. He said the recent launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy by Nigeria in collaboration with development partners was part of the country’s contribution to the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan and beyond.

He said the current state of insecurity and political tension in that country was hindering progress on several key transitional fronts, especially in security sector reforms and constitution-drafting.

(NAN)