Squatters demolitions in Juba begins amidst tight security
By James Gatdet Dak
January 26, 2009 (JUBA) – The earlier announced demolitions of squatters targeting mostly residential areas which lands were illegally occupied through grabbing have begun on Monday in the semi-autonomous Southern Sudan’s capital, Juba.
Central Equatoria state governor, Maj. Gen. Clement Wani Konga, last week announced that the authority would begin the demolition exercise to “recover grabbed lands and squatters” in the capital. The state government gave residents of the areas targeted seven days of “grace period,” which expired on January 25, to move out of the areas.
The demolitions targeted squatters in Juba Na Bari, Tongping, Jebel Dinka, some markets, squatters around late Dr. John Garang’s mausoleum and petrol stations constructed in residential areas and near Juba International Airport, among others.
Residents affected generally complaint of what they said was too little time of grace period given to them to evacuate their shops and houses.
A number of bull dozers began on Monday to demolish shops and houses in selected areas amidst deployments of security forces involving the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs), SPLA military police and the Southern Sudan and Central Equatoria Police around the demolition sites.
It is not yet clear what the government is planning to do immediately about those affected and continue to be affected by these demolition operations.
One of the affected shop owners who identified himself as Isaiah Garang Aleu said he got confused and terrified after his shop was demolished. “I am totally left in the middle of confusion by this surprising destruction of my shop. I am being terrified and don’t know where to relocate now,” he lamented.
Illegally constructed shops with corrugated iron sheets, some of which are sometimes used for family accommodations at night, were demolished at Juba Market in the town center.
Hundreds of people whose houses or shops were destroyed after they were moved out in the morning of the first day exercise were standing by looking worried as they watched their houses being demolished by bull dozers.
In what seemed to be chaos, some individual officers of the security forces deployed at the demolition sites turned rude to reporters or journalists. Some journalists complained of being harassed and prevented from taking photos of the sites. The matter was resolved after a senior security officer intervened and had to explain to such officers that the demolition operation was a public concern and necessary to be covered by the media.
Central Equatoria state government earlier argued that the demolitions of such squatters were necessary in accordance with the town’s Master Plan and did not target any group of people.
Many residents affected by the demolitions said they have been ready to legally obtain pieces of land (plots) in Juba but failed many times. According to another shop keeper at Juba Market who identified himself as Bior Manyang and happened to be one of the victims whose shops were demolished, told the press he failed to obtain a plot after applying several times with the state Department of Land Survey.
It is to a large extent difficult to obtain land in Juba through legal procedures because of unsettled jurisdiction over which level of government should be responsible for the capital and to handle its land issues.
Native communities in Juba also argue that “land belongs to the community” (them) as they always quote the CPA for their defense and expect the government or citizens from other states not to temper with it.
Authorities at various levels of government continue to dialogue among themselves and with the local communities in order to reach amicable solution to the land issues in the town that serves as capital to both the Government of Southern Sudan and Central Equatoria state.
The demolition exercise is expected to continue for several days until all the targeted areas are demolished.
(ST)
junub
Squatters demolitions in Juba begins amidst tight security
This is totally out of sense for the local government in juba to just distroy shops and houses by giving seven days note only. I don’t really get it why is it so important to us to denounce something bad when doing to us by others, but like it when one to practise it to ourselves. Wasn’t it long time ago when we called the world to condemn the NIF for demolition of churches and homes of southern Sudanese resident. What happening now or is it because it’s us verse ourselves. Seriously there’re folks among us who really are shadowed a lot with tribalism to not see the beauty our togetherness can give to us. This people whom their shops and homes teared down, are the one who pay taxes you always collecting. Worse is why GoSS just choose to stare without asking the local government to make sure she reserved plots for those whom demolishing will affect. The reason that they are told to evacuted is not making sense whatsoever, since it’s costing to relocate build some where without resourses. I think reaction need to me taken here despite what.
Marco Nyak
Squatters demolitions in Juba begins amidst tight security
It’s a good idea to re-design the South Sudan capital city base on the intended plot plan and to meet the world capital cities standards. However; given the fact that, there are typical procedures which; should be carry out before commencing such an exercise.
First, Government of South Sudan should give a substitute lands, whether a shop or a house for those whom their shops/ houses will be affected.
Second, Government of South Sudan should pay a lamp sum amount of money to affected individuals being the cost of re-building of new shop/ house.
Third, Government of South Sudan should give an adequate & significant grace period until the first and second steps been accomplished, where the residents or shop owners are able to re-locate their belonging to new location.
Therefore, with above three simple steps, the GOSS will act as mature and responsible administration, a government for the people not against the people.
The Nationalist
Squatters demolitions in Juba begins amidst tight security
Dear all,
Demolutions for the sake of them do not offer a long term solution to the problem of squatters or overcrowding in Southern Sudan towns, let alone Juba, the capital. We need to acknowledge that the 22 year war displaced of thousands of rural populations to the towns. That explains why if one flies over Southern Sudan, one finds that the countryside is vertually empty. The question is what should be done? The Government of South Sudan in collaboration with the ten southern states need to find an attractive solution to the overcrowding in our towns/cities. Late Hero Dr. John Garang (may his soul rest in peace) had a vision of taking the cities to the country side by making return and resettlement in the countryside attractive (through provision of services such as education, health units, agricultural packages, improving security, etc). I would also add that senior Government officials should show an example by establishing themselves in their own villages/communities. What is more disturbing is the fact that southern Sudan, despite the abundant and fertile land, cannot feed itself because our leders seem to have lost direction!! Please remember that depending on petroleum is not a viable option. South Sudan should produce surplus food to be sold to the region and not the other way round!! The present land-related ethnic conflicts have been fueled by lack of direction from our leaders. I am, therefore, appealing to GOSS and the State governments to pay more attention to the priority needs of the people!!
The Nationalist!!