South Sudan opposition groups warn over “illegal” land law
November 14, 2023 (NAIROBI) – Leaders of South Sudanese opposition groups have warned the Juba government against introducing a land bill likely to violate the rights of South Sudanese communities on ownership of their ancestral land.
Operating under the National Consensus Forum (NCF), the group expressed concerns over land grabbing practices particularly in various parts of South Sudan, including the Greater Equatoria, Western Bahr-el-Ghazal and Upper Nile region.
“This practice triggers inter-communal violence, one of the major root causes of the conflict in the country. This undemocratic malpractice is unfortunately carried out at both the national and state levels of government,” the group said.
According to the opposition group, land grabbing affects agriculture, a major source of livelihood in rural South Sudan.
“Introducing such a sensitive issue should have been preceded by proper consultations, information sessions, and inclusive debate before passing a selfish bill,” noted the opposition group.
It condemned the passage of this bill in the strongest terms possible and appealed to all peace-loving South Sudanese people, friends of South Sudan, regional authorities and the international community to stand together in solidarity against what it described as a “notorious” land policy of the government.
“President Salva Kiir is pursuing divisive practices that will fracture and lead to the disintegration and collapse of the nation,” reads the statement Sudan Tribune obtained.
According to the opposition group, peace and stability can only be achieved by joining its call for an inclusive roundtable conference to allow all the people of South Sudan to discuss the root causes of the conflict in the country and addressing these problems together and achieve a new social contract and political dispensation for the country that will bring stability, freedom and justice, development and prosperity for all.
NCF is an umbrella organization comprising 21 South Sudanese political, civil society, women, youth, and faith-based organizations and the academic and professional association and represents a major segment of the South Sudanese society.
(ST)