NAS mourns Gen. Joseph Lagu Yanga, hails him as an icon of South Sudan’s struggle for freedom
The National Salvation Front (NAS) has joined the nation in mourning the death of General Joseph Lagu Yanga, with Chairman and Commander-in-Chief Compatriot Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka describing him as one of the greatest sons of South Sudan and offering condolences to the family, the Ma’di community and the people of South Sudan.
In a condolence message posted on X (@CirilloSwaka) / X), Chairman Cirillo said he had learned “with profound sadness and sorrow” of the death of H.E. Gen. Lagu, which occurred in Juba on 27 October 2026. He extended condolences on behalf of the leadership and members of NAS and on his own behalf.
an icon of the struggle for freedom and dignity of the people of South Sudan
The Chairman said NAS mourns the loss of a distinguished leader and statesman whose name, in his words, is “indelibly inscribed in the history of South Sudan’s struggle for liberation and self-determination.”
Chairman Cirillo described the late general as a freedom fighter, leader and statesman who embodied the aspirations of the people of Southern Sudan during the long struggle for freedom, justice, dignity and self-determination. He said Gen. Lagu led the Southern Sudan Liberation Movement (Anyanya) and advanced unity while doing so.
He laid the foundations for the struggle towards an independent South Sudan
According to the Chairman, those foundations were laid so that the people of South Sudan could preserve their African cultural heritage, values and identity and determine their own destiny.
The Chairman went on to say NAS “salutes and pays the highest respect” to Gen. Lagu and honours his contribution to the history of South Sudan. He asked that the late general’s memory guide future generations.
“May his memory inspire present and future generations to pursue a united, peaceful and prosperous nation of freedom, justice, rights and dignity,” he said.
Date: 28 October 2026
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE PASSING OF H.E. GENERAL JOSEPH LAGU YANGA
I have learned with profound sadness and sorrow of the passing of one of the greatest sons of South Sudan, His Excellency General Joseph Lagu Yanga, which occurred in Juba on 27th October 2026.
On behalf of the leadership and members of the National Salvation Front NAS), and on my own behalf, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of H.E. Gen. Joseph Lagu Yanga, his relatives, the Ma’di community and the entire people of South Sudan.
NAS joins the nation in mourning the loss of an icon of the struggle for freedom and dignity of the people of South Sudan, a distinguished leader and statesman whose name is indelibly inscribed in the history of South Sudan’s struggle for liberation and self-determination.
H.E. Gen. Joseph Lagu was a freedom fighter, leader and statesman. He embodied the aspirations of the people of Southern Sudan during our long struggle for freedom, justice, dignity and self-determination. He courageously took up the torch of liberation as the leader of the Southern Sudan Liberation Movement (Anyanya), advancing unity. He laid the foundations for the struggle towards an independent South Sudan, where its people could preserve their African cultural heritage, values, and identity and determine their own destiny.
NAS salutes and pays the highest respect to H.E. Gen. Joseph Lagu Yanga and honours his contribution to the history of South Sudan. May his memory inspire present and future generations to pursue a united, peaceful and prosperous nation of freedom, justice, rights and dignity.
May the Almighty Lord grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family and the people of South Sudan for this great loss.
Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka
Chairman and Commander-in-Chief
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— Thomas Cirillo Swaka (@CirilloSwaka) October 28, 2026
