South Sudan considers ways to regulate land conflicts

March 12, 2007 (JUBA) — The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) is mulling ways to improve its land policies to prevent land-related conflicts in southern Sudan.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service (SRS) in Juba last, the chairman of the Land Commission, Robert Lado, said that land allocation and land ownership have resulted in conflicts between the government and some local communities. He added that there are also conflicts between host communities and internally displaced persons (IDP’s) in some parts of southern Sudan.

Lado said the GoSS will work to improve land allocation and management policies to discourage people from grabbing land illegally.

“Not only in Juba but also in other places, land grabbing, you know, is a bad word to use. South Sudan belongs to all of us; there is plenty of space for all of us. There is no need to get any piece of land and then you grab it, you start developing it. You are actually becoming a danger to your own development. There are ways in which people will get a piece of land and we are coming out with a very comprehensive policy that will be good for all the southern Sudan.” he said

Lado further added the lack of a proper policy on land has affected development in the region, saying that it is difficult for the government to construct schools, hospitals and roads because there is no distinction between government and private land.

(SRS)