Central Equatoria deploys forces to curb land grabbing in Juba County

JUBA – The government of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State has deployed security forces to Molubur village in Juba County to address escalating land grabbing incidents.

Juba County Commissioner Charles Joseph Wani confirmed the deployment of a joint police and army force last Friday following a gubernatorial order.

“We have talked about the issue of land grabbing, which is happening, we are implementing the order, we have now been able to arrest 40 people who are criminals, they are citizens of South Sudan but they are going against the law,” Wani said.

Wani accused high-ranking government and military officials of seizing public land in areas surrounding Juba and called on Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol to take action.

He stated that land grabbers have taken over the Ngolobo area and warned of government action to protect property and livelihoods.

“We do not know whether they are people who want to confuse the government or people who are against the system, they will be charged and immediately they will be send to national prison,” Wani said.

In late 2021, President Salva Kiir Mayardit formed a committee to assess land grabbing and informal settlements around Juba.

The committee is co-chaired by National Minister of Land and Housing Michael Changjiek and Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Antony.