(ABYEI) – The Ministry of Information and Communication in the Abyei Administrative Area has launched a two day programme to raise awareness about the South Sudan Land Act of 2009. The initiative was held last weekend and sought to educate community members on the law and address widespread misunderstandings that have contributed to land disputes across the country.
Under the Land Act, all land belongs to communities, but the government has the authority to regulate its use. Officials say this provision has often been misinterpreted, leading some citizens to believe that they can occupy land without allowing government planning and development.
Information Minister Yuohna Akol told media that 32 stakeholders, including chiefs, women, youth leaders and officials, took part in the training sessions held on Friday and Saturday. He said the exercise was also linked to the upcoming commemoration of the Abyei referendum results, adding that the region has often felt neglected in national discussions.
“The clause that states land belongs to the community is misunderstood by our people. That is why the ministry saw it important to enlighten people about it,” Akol explained.
He added that the campaign will be extended to all counties to ensure a common understanding ahead of town planning efforts.
Paramount Chief Bulabek Deng Kuol welcomed the dissemination, saying the initiative was long overdue. He noted that land demarcation is vital for infrastructure development, including roads, hospitals and schools, but these plans have faced delays due to community resistance and confusion over land rights.
“Any government needs to provide services to its people, and this requires proper land planning. The Land Act makes this possible, but people had misunderstood it for years. I appreciate the information ministry because dissemination was not done properly at the grassroots since 2009,” Chief Kuol said.
Youth leader Chol Lual said young people will play a key role in spreading the information within families and communities. He stressed that citizens must understand their rights and responsibilities under the Land Act, including issues such as inheritance and women’s rights to own land.
“Land is an important aspect of life. People cannot stay for years without building houses confidently. We now know that land belongs to the community but must be regulated by the government. Our role as youth is to explain this to our parents,” Lual said.
The programme comes as Abyei prepares for town planning and land surveys, which officials say will be easier to conduct once communities understand the legal framework. With increased clarity on land ownership, authorities in Abyei hope to reduce disputes and improve the environment for future development projects.
Land Act Dissemination Aims to Support Town Planning in Abyei
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Land Act 2009 dissemination programme |
| Location | Abyei Administrative Area |
| Duration | Two days (Friday and Saturday) |
| Participants | 32 stakeholders (chiefs, women, youth leaders, officials) |
| Lead Organiser | Ministry of Information and Communication |
| Key Messages | Land belongs to communities but is regulated by government |
| Goals | Clarify rights, support town planning, reduce disputes |
| Future Plans | Extend awareness programme to all counties in Abyei |
| Local Context | Linked to commemoration of Abyei referendum results |
| Wider Impact | Supports demarcation, infrastructure, housing, and conflict prevention |
Abyei remains one of the most sensitive regions in South Sudan due to its contested status between Sudan and South Sudan. It was granted special administrative arrangements under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, with both countries agreeing that its final status would be determined by a referendum. That referendum, held in 2011, was conducted by local residents but has not been officially recognised by Sudan, leaving the area in political uncertainty.
For residents, unresolved questions about ownership and governance have complicated land management and investment opportunities. Efforts such as the dissemination of the Land Act are seen as essential steps to clarify community rights, reduce disputes and create conditions for development projects that are urgently needed.
The push to explain the Land Act is therefore not only about local planning but also about strengthening stability and investor confidence in Abyei and South Sudan more broadly.