Lakes State bans rural land sales to curb land grabbing

RUMBEK – Lakes State’s Minister of Local Government, Chol Kuotwel Manhom, has banned the sale of rural village land in all eight counties, aiming to curb land grabbing and communal conflicts, officials said.

Manhom made the announcement during a briefing with chiefs and local administrators, warning them against involvement in land disputes on Saturday.

“Chiefs who get involved in land disputes instead of solving them will be investigated and relieved of their duties,” Manhom said.

He directed chiefs to settle land disputes fairly and called upon Payam and Boma administrators to arrest those violating the ban, with the exception of surveyed land with proper documentation.

Manhom highlighted the negative consequences of unregulated land sales.

“Random, illegal land sales have motivated individuals and groups to engage in land grabbing for commercial purposes,” he explained.

“This includes chasing away old neighbors from other clans, annexing their houses, and preventing those displaced by insecurity from returning home,” he added.

Land disputes within clans were also addressed by the Minister.

“Some people clear large pieces of land that don’t belong to them, provoking others who claim ownership, leading to heated communal conflicts,” Manhom stated.

He further emphasized that allocating unsurveyed land to government institutions is also prohibited to avoid future conflicts.

“Land cases must be approached on an individual basis. No one should incite clan disputes, chase others from their homes based on clan affiliation, or threaten anyone. Those involved will be prosecuted according to the law,” he said.

Local chiefs expressed support for the new measures. Sultan Manyang Derder Ajiing, paramount chief of Aduel Payam, confirmed the prevalence of land disputes in his area and cited a recent case where he successfully resolved a land claim.

Sultan Nyinde Mading, deputy paramount chief of Malek-agok Payam, pledged to implement the order and return seized land to its rightful owners.