Nigeria has reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity of war-torn Sudan and indicated its readiness to back the country’s bid for reinstatement into the African Union (AU).

A statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the assurance was given on Friday by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, during a diplomatic meeting in Abuja with the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Haroun.

Sudan’s membership in the continental body was suspended in October 2021 following a military coup led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Reinstatement has faced prolonged delays due to the devastating civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Push for AU Reintegration

During the bilateral talks, Ambassador Haroun appealed directly for Nigeria’s diplomatic weight to assist Khartoum in ending its institutional isolation.

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council has repeatedly maintained that the suspension will only be lifted once a civilian-led democratic transition is restored. However, Sudan is actively lobbying regional powers for a gradual return to the fold.

Mr. Enikanolaiye stated that Nigeria remains firmly committed to a “Sudanese-led peace process” that can ensure sustainable peace without compromising the nation’s unity. He promised to brief President Bola Tinubu on the discussions to coordinate Nigeria’s position within upcoming regional and international peace tracks.

Deep Historic Ties

The meeting highlighted the unique strategic relationship between Abuja and Khartoum, anchored by an exceptionally large and long-standing Nigerian diaspora community living in Sudan.

Thousands of Nigerians, historically tied to ancient trade and pilgrimage routes, have been caught in the crossfire of the current conflict, necessitating complex evacuation campaigns by the Nigerian government over the last three years.

The diplomatic talks coincide with an escalating humanitarian emergency in Sudan. On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council held an urgent debate warning of imminent mass atrocities and relentless drone strikes around the strategic city of El Obeid, as international mediators struggle to secure a comprehensive ceasefire.