South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The executive chief of Lado East Boma, Charles Loku, has called on the government to take decisive action against land grabbers in Jebel Lado.
His comments follow a violent confrontation between government forces and suspected land grabbers during a demolition operation.
In an exclusive interview with the Dawn Newspaper, Loku said that Thursday’s shooting incident in the area involved land grabbers and government forces, leading to one injury with no fatalities.
“For the past two days, forces have been deployed in Molubur Boma to enforce the demolition of houses built by the land grabbers last year. This morning, as the demolitions began, the land grabbers exchanged gunfire with our forces, resulting in one person being injured while the others managed to escape,” he said.
Loku emphasized the urgency for the government to implement effective measures to resolve land disputes, particularly in Lado Payam, which has become notorious for land grabbing.
“There is no need for the government to fear the land grabbers. It must take a firm stance to end the land disputes in Jebel Lado Payam,” he said.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) condemned the violent confrontations in Jebel Lado Payam, adding that land-grabbing issues have been happening since last year.
“The actions of these land grabbers are not just unlawful, they threaten the very foundation of our rule of law,” Yakani said during a media briefing.
“When the government acts to enforce the law, it should not be met with violence,” he added.
Witnesses reported that land grabbers fired weapons at law enforcement personnel who were trying to evict them from plots meant for state institutions and private individuals.
“We cannot afford to compromise with those who undermine legal processes,” Yakani asserted, stressing that any response from law enforcement must adhere to legal protocols.
Yakani also urged land grabbers to seek legal means to acquire land.
He warned that land conflicts could escalate into communal violence, adding that politicization of land issues is a ticking time bomb for conflict in the country.
Yakani appealed to local leaders, including the Governor of Central Equatoria State and the Commissioner of Juba County, to ensure the law is enforced in all areas affected by land grabbing.
Last month, Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani warned land grabbers in Molubur Hamlet to cease their violent activities.
In early March, former Commissioner of Juba County Charles Joseph had collaborated with organized forces to demolish illegal structures built by land grabbers, returning the land to its rightful owners.
Despite government efforts, land-grabbing in Juba County, particularly in Molubur village, continue unabated.
“We need a sustainable solution to these issues,” Loku said.
