By Bosco Bush
The Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has welcomed the ongoing review of the National Land Policy as a crucial step towards resolving longstanding land ownership disputes between the national government states.
In a speech delivered at a two-day consultative workshop organized by the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Jemma Nunu Kumba emphasized the persistent challenges surrounding land ownership, usage, and management, especially in Juba where both the national and state governments are headquartered.
“The challenges surrounding land ownership, use and management have also been a source of conflict within our communities, and between the national and subnational governments. Especially, Juba which is the headquarters of both the central government and also the state headquarters,” Kumba said.
The speaker further disclosed that the lack of clear demarcation between land belonging to the national government and that of the state has been a significant source of conflict.
“Up to now, the demarcation between the national capital and the state is not clear. There is always conflict between which land belongs to the national government within this capital and which part belongs to the state. I believe this policy review should make a clear clarification on this,” Kumba stated.
The workshop, attended by parliamentarians, government officials, experts, and development partners, aims to discuss and incorporate policies that will ensure the proper usage and management of land across the country, with a particular focus on addressing the challenges faced in Juba.
Kumba expressed optimism that the outcome of the policy review will provide a lasting solution to the longstanding land ownership disputes, which have been a persistent source of tension and conflict within the country.
In the recent past, land conflicts have resulted in several deaths.
Last year, lawmakers at the Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly voiced concerns regarding the escalating cases of land grabbing, particularly in Juba County.
This came after a report presented to the state parliament by Juba County Parliamentary Caucus members identified land grabbing as a primary contributor to insecurity within Juba County.