The Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly has said that those who grabbed lands must vacate as soon as possible.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Morris Andrea Lupe, Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Information, said the state assembly urges land grabbers to promptly relinquish the unlawfully acquired parcels and respect the territorial rights of the indigenous inhabitants.
He disclosed that a dedicated team from the state parliament embarked on a field visit to assess the dire situation on the ground, saying this investigative endeavour aims to gain firsthand insights into the extent of land grabbing that has plagued the area.
“In our recent sitting as state parliament, we have deliberated extensively on the issue of land grabbing with a particular emphasis on the affected areas of Juba and Mangalla,” Lupe said. The outcome of these deliberations was nothing short of resolute, as the state parliament resoundingly endorsed the imperative that the unlawfully seized lands must be promptly restored to their rightful proprietors.”
“Land grabbers must return to their places of origin,” Lupe added.
Lupe cautioned against the perilous practice of land grabbing, a concern further exacerbated by the recent surge in population within Juba. The inflow of South Sudanese nationals returning from neighbouring countries like Sudan and Uganda has spurred an increased demand for land, creating an environment ripe for unscrupulous individuals to exploit the vulnerable situation.
Drawing attention to the concerted efforts to curb this burgeoning crisis, Lupe emphasized that Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has issued unequivocal directives to the state’s organized security forces.
“These directives underscore the necessity of tackling the menace of land grabbing head-on and apprehending the criminals who are orchestrating these land grabs across the state,” he explained.
The plight of the communities in Mangalla and Jebel Lado, grappling with the unlawful appropriation of their ancestral lands, has garnered significant attention from the public.
As the assembly’s clarion call reverberates, it remains to be seen how swiftly and effectively the issue of land grabbing in those areas will be redressed and whether the appropriated lands will indeed be returned to their rightful owners.