General Cirilo’s group slams ‘cheap propaganda’ over death of former allied commander

JUBA – South Sudan’s holdout opposition group, National Salvation Front (NAS), led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka has denied reports that it murdered one of its formed commanders, General Saki James, who was killed inside border of the DR Congo earlier this month following defection from the group.

General Saki who was member of the NAS until he decided to defect from the group in January was killed inside DRC in February 10. Some senior members of National Salvation Front have accused the group’s higher leadership of standing behind his death.

Another opposition group has also accused NAS of killing the former opposition commander who sought to defect from the National Salvation Front.

In a statement on Tuesday, NAS denied the allegations and slammed what it calls a cheap propaganda it says is aimed at setting the people of South Sudan against each other in an ethnic war.

“The Leadership of National Salvation Front (NAS) informs its members, supporters, the people of South Sudan and members of International Community that it has come across a rambling propaganda statement by the Democratic Resistance Movement (DRM) accusing NAS of being responsible for the death of Gen. Saki James Palaoko former NAS Commander of Maridi Area Command, who was killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the opposition group said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

“The rambling statement is littered with the habitual lies, hate and ‘misinformation being peddled by the DRM. In the statement of DRM, with Ref: SPO/PR/004, dated 12/2/2021 and signed by its spokesman Eng. Lerri Johnson Marella, the group hurled wild accusations on NAS,” it added.

It went on: “The allegation and propaganda against NAS is mere mudslinging and baseless lies devoid of evidence but aimed to sow division and ethnic hatred. NAS urges its members to ignore them and treat them with the contempt they deserve.”

“NAS would however like to draw the attention of its members, supporters the people of South Sudan and members of International Community to the DRM’s revealing, admitting and bragging in its statement about their communication and support to Late Gen. Palaoko to fight the forces of NAS.

“Contrary to their earlier claims that they were not behind the late general’s resignation from NAS, this time the group openly admitted being in communication with him and aided him with logistics to fight the forces of NAS. Whatever then transpired in DRC that led to the general’s arrest, release and subsequent death is a mystery only known to the DRM as his mission was supported by them according to their own admission.

“NAS urges its members to remain focused and vigilant against lies aimed at setting the people of Suth Sudan on the course of ethnic fights rather than concerted struggle for freedom, justice, Rule of Law and restoration of dignity of the people.

“NAS further urges its members to concentrate on their national revolutionary responsibilities and ignore the cheap propaganda of groups such as the DRM.”