"My Christmas and New Year's message to you this year is that of Courage and Resolve.

The dignity and rights of our people have been undermined by the regime. The regime and elites in Juba have looted the resources of the country while the people of South Sudan continue to languish in abject poverty with no basic services such as clean water, health services, food and education for their children. The time for you, the people of South Sudan to say enough is enough, is now. 'You need to take your destiny into your own hands. The time has come for you to be courageous and resolute to reclaim your rights of freedom and restore your dignity. NAS has heard the voices of the people who, despite the threats to their lives, have openly and frankly told the regime that it has failed the people of South Sudan and therefore it must go. I urge all of you to be courageous and continue to use all forums including
those set by the regime to voice your opinions and demand your rights. No amount of threats, intimidation, and violence will ever defeat the courage and resolve of the people."

Gen. Thomas Cirillo, NAS Chairman and C-in-C