The National Patriotic Movement (NPM), a registered political party in South Sudan, has named its chairman, Issa Muzamil Sebit Makelele, as its candidate for the presidency in the general elections set for 22 December.
Party Secretary-General Gatkuoth Biel Diet made the announcement at a press conference in Juba on Wednesday.
Diet explained that the NPM’s governing council had approved Muzamil to run for the top office. Candidates for state governorships and seats in the national and state legislatures are due to be revealed next week.
Muzamil expressed support for President Salva Kiir’s decision on Tuesday to dissolve the transitional government, calling it an essential move toward holding general elections.
At the same time, he faulted the make-up of the caretaker administration that Kiir appointed, noting that the majority of those selected belonged to the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
He pointed out that registered political parties had not been consulted prior to the appointments.“Caretaker governors and other officials being appointed should be neutral and not loyal to one political party,” Muzamil stated.
The NPM demanded a level playing field for all parties during the electoral period and cautioned against the use of public resources for campaigning.
It further insisted that opposition parties be permitted to carry out legitimate political activities and receive equitable access to public media.
Muzamil also criticised the slow progress of inter-party dialogue, arguing that important electoral matters had not been properly examined before the National Elections Act was amended.
He maintained that the NPM, a registered party that did not sign the 2018 peace agreement, should be included in the dialogue together with other registered parties.
According to the party, the discussions ought to cover political-party financing, security for candidates and parties, a code of conduct for political actors, and equal political space ahead of the polls.
It additionally called for adequate time to complete voter registration and publish the voter register, along with the freedom for parties and independent candidates to campaign nationwide.Regarding security, the NPM recognised that insecurity still blocks access to certain areas of South Sudan, yet argued that this should not stop the elections from proceeding.
The party urged Kiir to open talks with armed groups and pursue ceasefires so that citizens can register and take part in electoral processes.
Concerns were also raised about the judiciary’s independence in resolving electoral disputes, especially if Kiir runs for president while remaining in office.
Under the revised election law, the current executive retains full constitutional authority throughout the election period until a newly elected president takes office.
The transitional period is due to conclude in February 2027.The National Elections Commission has confirmed that the presidential, parliamentary and other elections are planned for 22 December 2026.
Despite its reservations, the NPM affirmed its backing for the December vote, presenting it as a chance for South Sudanese to select their leaders after prolonged transitional rule.“The National Patriotic Movement is not designed for one election,” Muzamil said.
“We are going to fight for democratic changes in South Sudan, which is not going to end with this December 2026 election.”
Muzamil is a lawyer and former chairperson of the South Sudan Bar Association. He later moved into party politics and assumed the chairmanship of the NPM.
He becomes the third politician to declare an intention to challenge President Kiir in the December election.
