South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Waure Eddy
The Organisation for Liberty and Entrepreneurship (OLENT), a civil society organisation based in Yambio, has launched a significant national study titled “Ending Family Poverty: Unlocking the Funds of Next of Kin.”
Conducted in collaboration with Ghana’s Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI), the initiative highlights the bureaucratic and cultural obstacles that hinder South Sudanese families from accessing the financial estates of deceased relatives.
The study surveyed hundreds of citizens across seven states, including Juba, Malakal, Wau, Bentiu, and Yambio, revealing that over 80% of South Sudanese are unaware of the legal processes needed to claim the assets of their deceased family members.
The findings were presented during a one-day policy dialogue hosted by OLENT, which attracted participation from government officials, civil society organisations, lawyers, Members of Parliament, traditional chiefs, church leaders, security personnel, and media representatives.
The report indicates that many families face significant delays, unofficial fees, and a lack of legal clarity when trying to access inheritance funds.
In some instances, the process can take up to eight weeks and incur costs ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 South Sudanese Pounds in unofficial charges.
David Benjamin Ginana, Acting Executive Director of OLENT, stressed the urgency for reform: “Our survey shows that 81% of citizens do not know how to begin the process of claiming their deceased relatives’ assets. This lack of awareness is trapping families in poverty and must be addressed through policy change and public education.”
Benjamin Commander, Director General of Local Government and Law Enforcement, commended the initiative during the dialogue:
“This programme is very important. It helps us understand the role of the next of kin in the family and why their rights must be protected. Families should not suffer simply because they lack information or access.”
Stephen Dansu, Senior Policy Researcher at ILAPI Ghana, praised the partnership and shared insights from Ghana’s
experience: “In Ghana, we’ve made progress by simplifying the legal process and promoting awareness through community outreach. This collaboration allows us to exchange ideas and strengthen civil society across borders.”
“The report from South Sudan is a wake-up call. It illustrates how cultural taboos and institutional gaps can leave families financially stranded. We must work together to ensure no one is left behind.”
OLENT’s initiative represents a crucial step towards empowering families and combating inheritance-related poverty in South Sudan. As the conversation progresses, stakeholders remain hopeful that the findings will lead to meaningful policy changes and foster regional solidarity.
