NPM Endorses Issa Muzamil to Challenge Kiir in December Elections

JUBA—The National Patriotic Movement has endorsed its chairman, Dr. Issa Muzamil Sebit Makelele, as presidential candidate to challenge President Salva Kiir in the Dec. 22 elections.

The endorsement was announced Wednesday, a day after Kiir dissolved the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity and appointed a caretaker administration to run the country ahead of the elections.

“The National Patriotic Movement would like to announce to the general public that its governing council has endorsed its chairman, Dr Isa Muzamil Sibit-Makleni, as a presidential candidate for the upcoming 2026 general election,” Party Secretary-General Gatkuoth Biel Diet announced.

“In the week to come, NPM will announce the candidate for the remaining positions of the government, governor, national and state members of the parliament, members of the local government.”

After Muzamil’s endorsement, the NPM becomes one of the few registered political parties seeking to end President Salva Kiir’s tenure as Head of State as the country is preparing for the first national vote since independence in 2011.

The party also welcomed Kiir’s decision to dissolve the transitional government but said the caretaker administration must remain politically neutral as parties prepare to campaign.

“NPM urges His Excellency, President Salva Kiir, to supervise the caretaker officials and direct them to be neutral and fair in exercising their duties,” Muzamil said.

He said caretaker governors and other officials should not be loyal to one political party and should provide “a fair and equal political space” in their areas of responsibility.

Muzamil said public institutions and resources should not be used to give the ruling party or individual politicians an advantage during the campaign period.

“Genuine elections cannot be achieved when the ruling party enjoys unrestricted mobilisation while opposition political parties are constrained unlawfully from engaging in lawful political activities,” he said.

The party chair also called for equal access to public media and impartial enforcement of electoral laws against all political actors.

Muzamil said the party had experienced restrictions while organizing political activities, including the interruption of planned activities in Lainya County. He said political parties should be allowed to conduct lawful activities without discrimination.

Despite concerns over security and other challenges, Muzamil said the party supports holding the December elections and urged South Sudanese to exercise their right to choose their leaders.

He said voter registration, freedom of movement, access to campaign venues and security for candidates and political parties would be important to the credibility of the electoral process.

Kiir dissolved the transitional government Sept. 22 after amendments to the National Elections Act were signed into law. The amended electoral framework removed earlier requirements for a permanent constitution and a national census before the elections.