In a significant move to enhance land tenure security and promote peaceful coexistence, thirty vulnerable community members in Malakal, South Sudan, have received plot registration documents. The initiative, led by the Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources (CSCNR) in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), aims to strengthen post-conflict recovery and prevent land disputes in Upper Nile State. The beneficiaries, including widows, orphans, elderly people, women, internally displaced persons, returnees, and persons with disabilities, had lost their land titles during past displacements.
The document handover ceremony took place during the launch of a land and property rights awareness campaign. Chukwan Philip, Director General in the State Ministry of Roads, Bridges and Physical Infrastructure, welcomed the initiative, citing its alignment with Section 78(1) of the Land Act 2009 and Article 32(1) of South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution. These laws guarantee citizens the right to restitution of land rights lost due to involuntary displacement and the right to own and acquire property, respectively.
According to CSCNR Chairperson Charles Judo, Upper Nile State has suffered extensive destruction from successive conflicts since 2013, leaving vulnerable residents at increased risk of losing their property rights. The goal of the campaign is to enhance land tenure security, reduce land-driven conflicts, help vulnerable people recover lost ownership documents, and promote peace among local communities. This initiative is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable families seeking to rebuild their lives after years of conflict and displacement.
In addition to the document handover, CSCNR and NPA conducted a capacity-building workshop for 44 community leaders, youth, and women’s representatives. The workshop aimed to improve public understanding of the Land Act 2009, land classification, and mechanisms for resolving land disputes. This training is expected to empower community members to manage land-related issues effectively and peacefully.
One of the beneficiaries, Martin John, expressed gratitude for receiving his land title but highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the community. Despite having their land documents back, many lack the financial means to construct permanent houses. Martin appealed to humanitarian agencies to support the construction of durable shelters and help clear overgrown access roads in the Luakat area.
Other participants, including William, urged the Ministry of Roads, Bridges and Physical Infrastructure to review and reduce land registration fees, making formal land ownership more affordable for low-income residents. Community members and civil society representatives also called on authorities and humanitarian partners to establish additional police posts to improve security, expand land document recovery programmes, and provide the ministry with modern surveying equipment.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to improved land tenure security and peaceful coexistence in Upper Nile State. By addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable families, the programme will help to promote stability and recovery in the region. The programme's impact will be closely monitored, and its success may inform similar initiatives in other conflict-affected areas of South Sudan.
Key points
- The initiative aims to enhance land tenure security and promote peaceful coexistence among vulnerable communities in Upper Nile State.
- The programme provides plot registration documents to 30 vulnerable families who had lost their land titles during past displacements.
- The initiative includes a capacity-building workshop to improve public understanding of land laws and dispute resolution mechanisms.
