The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations with South Sudan while urging the East African nation to intensify efforts toward lasting peace and national reconciliation ahead of its scheduled presidential election in December 2026.
The assurance was given by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, during a meeting with South Sudan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador David Buom Choat, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Thursday.
According to a statement by the Ministry, discussions centred on South Sudan’s peace process, implementation of the Revitalised Peace Accord, and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye called on the South Sudanese government to fully implement the peace agreement with openness, transparency and inclusiveness, while urging authorities to end ongoing conflicts, including securing a ceasefire in the White Nile region, to create a peaceful environment for citizens.
He recalled Nigeria’s historic role in South Sudan’s independence, highlighting the Abuja peace talks of the early 1990s and noting that President Bola Tinubu, as a member of the African Union Ad hoc Committee of Five (C5) on South Sudan, remains committed to promoting peace and national reconciliation in the country.
The minister also reiterated Nigeria’s support through the Technical Aid Corps scheme, expressing readiness to deploy more volunteers to South Sudan upon request.
Enikanolaiye, however, expressed concern over the recent assault on a Nigerian diplomat in Juba, condemning the incident and demanding a thorough investigation, prosecution of those responsible, and stronger security measures to protect Nigerian diplomatic personnel in line with international diplomatic conventions.
In his response, Ambassador Choat congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and conveyed his government’s regret over the attack on the Nigerian diplomat, assuring that investigations are ongoing.
Both countries also stressed the importance of conducting credible, free and inclusive elections as a pathway to democratic governance and lasting peace in South Sudan. Nigeria further called for judicial proceedings involving imprisoned Vice President Rick Mercia to be handled with fairness, equity and justice.
The meeting also agreed on the early establishment of a Nigeria-South Sudan Ministerial Commission to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, security and socio-cultural sectors. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria remains committed to working with South Sudan to promote peace, security and shared prosperity.