South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Jenifer James
The Government of Central Equatoria State has suspended all land demarcation activities in Nyamini City and Mangala Administrative Payam of Juba County due to escalating tensions among local communities.
This decision was announced on Tuesday following a high-level meeting of the state security committee.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Leon Abe Brown, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, spoke to the press, indicating that the situation in Nyamini had become increasingly volatile because of land disputes involving five local communities.
“In Nyamini, we have about five communities, and there are disputes concerning land demarcation. It is almost leading to fights among themselves,” Leon said. “Fortunately, the security committee recognised the tension and rushed to the scene.”
Leon confirmed that all activities related to land demarcation, including the clearing of green roads, have been halted. The suspension is in line with Security Resolution Number 15, issued by the Governor of Central Equatoria.
“This is the resolution of the governor, suspending all community development committees. We have informed the communities not to carry out any demarcation without authorisation from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure or the Commissioner’s Office,” Leon emphasised.
Leon clarified that the government’s decision is not against development but aims to ensure it is conducted through proper legal and administrative frameworks.
“We are not against the development of the Republic of South Sudan, the capital city, or Central Equatoria State. We stand with development and with the accommodation of our people as South Sudanese,” Leon said. “But it must be done through law and organised systems of rule and order.”
Leon added that representatives from the five communities in Nyamini have been summoned to a meeting on Friday to present their grievances in an effort to reach an amicable resolution.
Although there was positive feedback from citizens in Juba after one week of the allotment exercise by the development committee, the commissioner of Juba County issued Local Order No. 2/2025 for the suspension of any demarcation activities (including showing, allotment, and opening of roads) in the Nyamini area, Juba County, until further notice.
Earlier this year, the Governor of Central Equatoria State issued Gubernatorial Order No. 02/2025 dissolving Community Development Committees across the State.
The State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, County Commissioners, and Heads of Legal Administration and Public Prosecution in Central Equatoria State are directed to implement the order effective from 6 February 2025.