South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has instructed the Central Equatoria State government to allocate plots of land to citizens in an effort to combat land grabbing and resolve disputes.
In his remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel as governor of Central Equatoria State in Juba on Wednesday, Kiir directed him to allocate plots for residential development, investment, and government infrastructure.
“Equal land allocation in Juba is essential, as the capital city is becoming smaller for its inhabitants. Therefore, I urge you to make land available to the growing population of Juba, including investors and government institutions,” Kiir told SSBC on Wednesday.
Kiir also ordered Governor Mujung to work closely with the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to repair internal roads that are in poor condition.
“The people living in Central Equatoria must feel safe, regardless of their background, tribe, or political views,” he said.
Land conflicts in Central Equatoria, especially in Juba city, have persisted for several years since the establishment of the government of South Sudan in 2005.
Members of the host community, the Bari, have accused inhabitants from other states of grabbing their land.
They also allege that these individuals have not followed the legal procedures for acquiring land through the Central Equatoria State’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure.
On 11th August 2021, President Salva Kiir issued an order forming a committee to address issues of rampant informal settlement and land grabbing in Juba city and its environs.
The committee was mandated to map out areas affected by informal settlements and land grabbing in Juba City and Juba County, including estimates of populations, household members, and other related demographic data.
It is also tasked with ascertaining the causes of informal settlement and land grabbing in Juba County.
The order mandated the committee to summon and interview any person or persons, including community leaders, where appropriate, to establish information relating to the subject matter.
