As land policy is being developed, governments from national to Bomas, must consider conflict free areas when allocating plots to avoid breeding bloodshed.
This notion emanates from none ending nature of land related conflicts, the world over. Ukraine-Russia war over Crimea, Israel-Palestine war over West Bank, are just few examples we must pick leaves from if we yean for peaceful settlement in our cities and towns.
South Sudan is prone to land conflicts and one that which can last without end, as long as we live, when considerations for peaceful resolutions are not under taken.
Just last week, elders and chiefs from Bari Community declared an area worth more than 20,000 plots in Lado Payam, free for demarcation.
The community the land be allocated to all South Sudanese to settle, but barely fortnights have past, Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor community objects the move.
Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor Community presented unresolved territorial dispute as a reason of their contest.
It’s crucial for Central Equatoria state, Juba Count and Lado Payam governments to prioritize resolving the sprouting conflict to a peaceful conclusion before allowing settlement.
As being located within growth distance of Juba city, Ladu Payam has potential of accommodating citizens from diverse communities but without resolving the land conflict, the disgruntled parties will continue feeling hurt and cheated.
Not only Ladu Payam in Juba, communities raise their dissatisfaction with land demarcation and allocation, Nimule border town faces similar challenges.
It must be national strategy for peaceful settlement of citizens anywhere in the country.
Whereas, unresolved land conflict is like building a house on undetonated device, bound to explode any movement later, its better and easier to mitigate future turmoil.
The country must shift from its current conflict-ridden scenario into harmonious, peaceful future which begins now, by unbundling the baggage of contention.