National Salvation Front (NAS) Chairman and Commander-in-Chief Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka has called on the people of South Sudan to use the country’s 15th Independence Anniversary as a moment of national reflection, urging citizens to renew their commitment to justice, democracy, accountability, freedom and the rule of law.
In his Independence Anniversary Message released on Thursday, the rebel leader congratulated South Sudanese on marking the nation’s independence while arguing that the aspirations which inspired the 2011 referendum have been undermined by years of poor governance, corruption and political failure.
He said South Sudanese overwhelmingly voted for independence with hopes of building a country founded on dignity, development and equal opportunity, where children would receive education, healthcare would be accessible, civil servants and organized forces would be treated with respect, and citizens would enjoy peace and prosperity.
Instead, the NAS Chairman said those expectations have been replaced by widespread hardship, insecurity, and institutional collapse.
“The dreams and aspirations of the people of South Sudan have been betrayed,” he said, pointing to economic hardship, the deterioration of public services, unpaid civil servants, displacement of communities and continued violence affecting civilians across the country.
Gen. Cirillo further criticized what he described as entrenched corruption, tribal politics and the looting of national resources, arguing that these have weakened state institutions and deepened divisions within the country.
Looking ahead, he urged South Sudanese not to lose hope but to once again take responsibility for determining the country’s future.
“Just as they did in 2011, they must reclaim their freedom, rights and dignity,” he said, adding that the sacrifices made to secure independence should not be allowed to be eroded by what he described as a kleptocratic political elite.
The NAS Chairman reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to what he described as the struggle for freedom, justice, human rights and the dignity of all South Sudanese.
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