Community Dialogue on Land Issues in Juba Concludes with Ten Resolutions

In a landmark event organized by the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, a two-day community dialogue on land issues in Juba, Central Equatoria State, concluded with the signing of ten resolutions aimed at combating land grabbing and tensions in the region.

The dialogue, which brought together various stakeholders including chiefs, youths, women, state parliamentarians, and city council representatives, highlighted the urgent need to address the rampant issue of land grabbing within Juba County. The resolutions, signed by members of key payams within the county, outline crucial measures to be implemented by both the state and national legislative bodies.

According to a spokesperson from the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, the resolutions address critical issues such as land occupation by non-indigenous individuals, weaknesses in government institutions, illegal military deployments in civilian areas, and the need for a specialized unit to prosecute cases related to land grabbing.

“We are committed to ensuring that high-profile officials and military personnel involved in land grabbing are held accountable,” stated one of the participants at the dialogue.

Other key resolutions include the immediate deployment of state police in Juba County, regular rotation of the army, awareness campaigns on land acquisition procedures, and the relocation of internally displaced persons to their areas of origin.

The dialogue also emphasized the importance of clarifying and enforcing jurisdictional boundaries to prevent non-indigenous chiefs from demarcating land and empowering local authorities to resolve land disputes effectively.

“The people of Juba City Council and Juba County reject the notion that land belongs solely to the community,” reiterated a community leader present at the dialogue.

Moving forward, specialized committees have been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the resolutions to ensure swift and effective action in addressing the complex land issues facing Central Equatoria State.