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National Salvation Front (NAS) leader General Thomas Cirillo outlined his movement’s proposals for South Sudan’s political transition during an online policy discussion hosted by Professor Amir Idris of Fordham University and moderated by retired Kenyan General Lazaro Sumbeiyo,

Speaking during an online discussion on Wednesday, Cirillo said South Sudan was at a critical moment.

“This meeting, in fact, came at a very crucial time, where South Sudan is facing a situation whether to be free or not to be. We are losing the country… and there is a need for sons and daughters of South Sudan to put their heads together to find a way to rescue this great nation,” he said.

Responding to a question on the steps needed to complete the country’s political transition, Cirillo said the National Salvation Front does not consider the current transition to be underway.

“With due respect… the National Salvation Front views the situation as political stagnation… We call it an aborted transition because this transition did not start,” he said.

Cirillo, whose movement did not sign the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, said NAS maintains that the agreement was flawed and reiterated its position that it had declined to join the peace process.

He also alleged that implementation of the agreement had been undermined and accused the government of restricting civic space and concentrating power in state institutions.

Looking ahead, Cirillo called for a new peace process bringing together all South Sudanese stakeholders. “South Sudan needs its own daughters and sons to sit together, so that they discuss their problems,” he said.

He added that the process should include “the opposition movements, the opposition parties, civil society, faith-based groups, women [and] youth,” and be facilitated by “truly neutral mediators, credible guarantors, a neutral and safe venue for all participants.”

Cirillo also proposed the formation of an interim government, followed by the adoption of a federal system of governance, the repatriation and resettlement of displaced people, a national population census and elections.

“After that, we can conduct elections, and the South Sudanese will now choose their own leaders. This way, we will be able to usher in a democratic time for the first time in our history,” he said.

Addressing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, Cirillo said the war had affected South Sudan through cross-border insecurity and other security challenges.

The online discussion brought together South Sudanese participants and international stakeholders to discuss the country’s political transition and prospects for peace.