The National Patriotic Movement (NPM) has endorsed its chairman, Issa Muzamil Sebit Makelele, as its presidential candidate for South Sudan's general elections on December 22. The party's Secretary-General, Gatkuoth Biel Diet, announced the decision at a news conference in Juba on Wednesday, September 23. According to Diet, the party's governing council has endorsed Muzamil to contest the presidency. This move comes as the country prepares for its general elections.
Muzamil welcomed President Salva Kiir's dissolution of the transitional government on Tuesday, describing it as a necessary step towards general elections. However, he criticised the composition of the caretaker administration appointed by Kiir, saying most of the officials came from the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). Muzamil expressed concerns that the caretaker governors and other officials should be neutral and not loyal to one political party.
The NPM called for equal political space for all parties during the electoral period and warned against the use of public resources for campaigning. The party also urged that opposition parties be allowed to conduct lawful political activities and have fair access to public media. Additionally, Muzamil criticised delays in inter-party dialogue, saying key electoral issues had not been adequately discussed before amendments to the National Elections Act were passed.
The NPM, which is a registered political party but did not sign the 2018 peace agreement, should be allowed to participate in the dialogue alongside other registered parties, according to Muzamil. The party said the dialogue should address several issues, including political-party funding, security for candidates and parties, a code of conduct for political actors, and equal political space ahead of the elections.
On security, the NPM acknowledged that some parts of South Sudan remain inaccessible because of insecurity, but said this should not prevent elections from going ahead. The party urged Kiir to engage armed groups and seek ceasefires to allow citizens to register and participate in electoral activities. Furthermore, the NPM raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary in handling electoral disputes.
The National Elections Commission says the presidential, parliamentary, and other elections are scheduled for December 22, 2026. Despite its concerns, the NPM said it supports the December elections, describing them as an opportunity for South Sudanese to choose their leaders after years of transitional government. Muzamil, a lawyer and former chairperson of the South Sudan Bar Association, joins two other politicians who have declared their intention to challenge President Kiir in the December election.
Muzamil emphasized that the National Patriotic Movement is not designed for one election, stating that the party will continue to fight for democratic changes in South Sudan. The transitional period is scheduled to end in February 2027, and under the amended election law, the incumbent executive leadership remains in office with full constitutional powers throughout the election period, until the next elected president assumes office.
Key points
- The National Patriotic Movement endorses chairman Issa Muzamil Sebit Makelele as presidential candidate for December elections.
- Muzamil criticises composition of caretaker administration appointed by President Salva Kiir.
- NPM calls for equal political space, security for candidates, and independence of judiciary ahead of elections.
