South Sudan will rise again: NAS Chairman’s powerful anniversary message
On 6th March 2025, the National Salvation Front (NAS) marked its eighth anniversary with a powerful message of resilience, determination, and hope for the future. Addressing NAS members, supporters, and the people of South Sudan on this historic occasion, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka reaffirmed that the struggle for justice and freedom remains stronger than ever.
With the theme “A New Dawn for an Inclusive, Just and Sustainable Peace,” he declared that despite the challenges, oppression, and betrayals faced over the years, NAS stands unwavering in its mission to liberate South Sudan from tyranny and lead the nation toward a brighter, more just future. “Together, we will triumph. South Sudan will rise again,” he proclaimed.
Together, we will triumph. South Sudan will rise again
Reflecting on the past eight years, Gen. Cirillo paid tribute to the brave NAS soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the cause. Their courage, he said, has kept the spirit of the struggle alive, lighting the way toward a free and democratic South Sudan. Despite immense challenges, NAS has remained steadfast, growing stronger in the face of adversity and refusing to be swayed by betrayals, hardships, and attempts to silence the movement. The Chairman applauded the unwavering dedication of NAS members across the globe, calling them the true heroes and heroines of the people’s fight for justice and human rights.
Each name and face is forever carved in our hearts as a reminder of the struggle
As South Sudan continues to face political instability, economic collapse, and ethnic-driven violence, NAS has remained a voice of resistance against a regime determined to hold onto power at all costs. Gen. Cirillo condemned the government’s deliberate attempts to fuel ethnic tensions, citing recent violence in Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Upper Nile, where civilians have been killed, villages burned, and thousands displaced. He also denounced the government’s continued economic mismanagement, which has left civil servants unpaid for over a year while the country’s vast resources are plundered for the benefit of a select few.
South Sudan is on the verge of collapse and disintegration. The Juba regime has intensified the execution of its policy of fostering ethnic conflict to maintain its illegal hold onto power
On the peace process, the NAS leader made it clear that the movement remains committed to finding a lasting solution to the crisis. However, he criticised the government’s repeated attempts to undermine meaningful negotiations, including its decision to abandon the Rome peace process in favour of a Kenya-led initiative that merely seeks to maintain the status quo. He reiterated NAS’s call for a Round-table Conference that would bring together all stakeholders to address the root causes of the conflict, warning against yet another power-sharing deal that does nothing to address the fundamental issues tearing South Sudan apart.
The intention of NAS is not only about ending the conflict but also having an inclusive, just, and sustainable peace
While exposing the failures of the ruling elite, Gen. Cirillo also painted a vision of hope, outlining NAS’s plans for a new and reformed South Sudan. He pledged that NAS would establish a professional, accountable security sector that serves the people rather than suppresses them. He promised an economy built for the benefit of all South Sudanese, free from the grip of corruption and political patronage. Education, healthcare, and the rule of law would become national priorities, ensuring that future generations inherit a country where justice and equality prevail. The Chairman called for an end to ethnic-based politics, stressing that unity, not division, is the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation.
Under Kiir’s leadership, the oil of South Sudan has been mortgaged at a loss until the year 2040
As NAS embarks on its ninth year of struggle, Gen. Cirillo called on South Sudanese at home and in the diaspora to stand together in the fight for change. The struggle, he said, is far from over, but victory is within reach. With unwavering commitment and the will of the people, South Sudan will rise again.
Imagine a future where our children can live without fear, where they can dream without limits and work towards realizing those dreams.
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[…] victory follows NAS Chairman Gen. Thomas Cirillo’s powerful anniversary address, in which he reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to resisting tyranny and fighting for the […]