A top opposition official of the National Salvation Front, NAS, led by General Thomas Cirillo Swaka has resigned from his position citing a lack of clear vision and weak leadership.

Dr. Lako Jada Kwajok, who held the positions of chairman of the political committee, chairman of the international relations committee, and chairman of the strategic funding group tendered his resignation letter to the movement’s leader on October 23. 

He accused Cirillo and a small group within the movement of having abandoned the movements’ objectives and therefore changing its course.

Jada who has served as chairman of the political committee since November 2019, criticized Cirillo's leadership style as weak saying he is not as assertive and proactive as expected of a 'revolutionary leader'.

He said NAS also lacks visionary leadership, strategy, and proper policy guiding its principles. He said the movement's vision was watered down when it went into alliances with other opposition groups holding different objectives, a move he says has tremendously damaged the movement’s credibility.

“The movement would celebrate its fourth birthday in less than five months, yet it seems far from institutionalism. You have been resisting attempts to establish administrative structures at the very beginning under flimsy excuses. Your approach impeded NAS progress as it deprived it of using the talents and expertise of its vast army of supporters," reads part of his resignation letter.

While signing off, Jada pledged not to be involved in any hostile activities against NAS nor join what he called, ‘the illegitimate and criminal regime in Juba’.

NAS dissolves interim political committee

Following the resignation of the committees’ chairman, NAS leader Cirillo dissolved the interim political committee which was appointed last year.

In a statement dated 23rd October 2020, Cirillo relieved all the members of the committee pending the appointment of the NAS Political Council.

He thanked the members of the committee for 'outstanding work of advancing the vision, mission, and objectives of the movement'.

Other members of the committee include; Oyeck Kontasio Ohya, Ufondi Fidel Dima, Rosemary Ajja Merkaje, Yein Mathew Chol, Kukur loPita Marino, Jalfa John Perry, Khalid Ono Loki, Suba Samuel Manasi, Faris Mathew, Vera Mahadi, Sokiri LoPoni Samuel, Wani Lolik, Haram Muhamed Ahmed, Louis Danga, David Loro Hillary, James Ochang Ojuch, Jackline Edward Peter, and Peter Salah Natana.

NAS is not part of the September 2018 peace agreement.