JUBA — A prominent South Sudanese lawyer on Wednesday announced his intention to contest the presidency in the country’s planned December 22, 2026, general elections, becoming the second political figure to declare interest in the presidential race.
The candidacy of Dr. Issa Muzamil Sebit Makelele, Chairperson of the National Patriotic Movement (NPM), was announced by the party’s Secretary-General, Gatkouth Biel, during a press conference on Wednesday.
Muzamil, who currently leads the NPM, previously served as chairperson of the South Sudan Bar Association (SSBA), the professional body representing advocates and lawyers in South Sudan.
The announcement adds a new name to the emerging presidential race, which already includes incumbent President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Kornelio Kon Ngu, chairperson of the National Alliance.
NPM Secretary-General Gatkouth Biel said the party’s Governing Council had endorsed Muzamil as its candidate for the country’s highest political office.
“The National Patriotic Movement would like to announce to the general public that its governing council has endorsed its chairman, Dr. Issa Muzamil-Sebit-Makelele, as a presidential candidate for the upcoming 2026 general election,” Gatkouth said.
Gatkouth said the party will soon announce candidates for other positions, including governors, members of the national and state parliaments, and local government representatives.
“In the week to come, NPM will announce the candidate for the remaining position of the governor, the national and the state members of the parliament, and members of the local government,” he said.
Gatkouth also called on NPM supporters, the public, and the international community to support the electoral process.
“NPM calls all its members, the general public, and the members of the international community to support the upcoming 2026 general election.”
Muzamil’s entry brings the number of publicly announced presidential contenders to at least three.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who has led South Sudan since independence in 2011, has been endorsed by the SPLM as its flag bearer for the presidential race.
Kornelio Kon Ngu, chairperson of the National Alliance, a coalition of political parties, has also declared his intention to contest the presidency.
Muzamil now joins the emerging presidential race as political parties prepare their campaigns and finalize candidates for the 2026 polls.
The coming months are expected to see more political parties announce their presidential candidates, as well as nominees for parliament, state government, and local government positions.
For the NPM, the endorsement marks the beginning of its campaign to take its chairman from party leadership to the presidential ballot.
For his part, Muzamil, NPM chairperson and presidential candidate, welcomed the dissolution of the transitional government and the appointment of a caretaker administration, as well as the planned inter-party dialogue and his nomination as the party’s presidential candidate.
“First and foremost, the National Patriotic Movement welcomes positively the end of the transitional period and the dissolution of the revitalized transitional government of national unity that took place on the 22nd, September, 2026 to ensure a fair and credible journey towards elections,” he said.
Muzamil, however, questioned the composition of the newly appointed caretaker government, saying that most of the officials appointed were members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
“NPM observes that since a partial formation of caretaker government was done on 22nd September, 2026, most of the officials appointed are from SPLM, and no consultation was done with the registered political parties,” he said.
Muzamil called on President Kiir to ensure that caretaker officials remain neutral and fair in carrying out their duties.
“NPM urges His Excellency President Salva Kiir to supervise the caretaker officials and direct them to be neutral and fair in exercising their duties,” he said.
Muzamil also warned against appointing officials with records of corruption and urged authorities to prevent the use of public resources for political campaigns.
“Public resources must not be used for political campaigns by the ruling party and other individuals contrary to the law,” he said.
