(JUBA) – Land ownership and property disputes in Juba have once again taken centre stage after the Central Equatoria State Security Committee raised alarm over rising cases of land grabbing and unresolved real estate conflicts.
The committee, chaired by Governor Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, convened its weekly meeting at the State Secretariat on Tuesday. Among its agenda was the persistent challenge of illegal land occupation and the growing tension it has created in the capital.
Speaking after the meeting, Hon. Leon Abe Brown, the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, warned that land grabbing in Juba continues to destabilise property markets and create disputes among residents and investors.
He advised residents and property developers to obtain legal land documents only from recognised institutions, such as the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities or Juba County authorities.
“We encourage all land buyers and owners to process their documents through authorised offices to avoid falling into disputes,” Hon. Abe said.
The minister disclosed that ongoing road demarcation in Lokwilili has been suspended to allow for community consultations after several disputes emerged. He further revealed that communities in Illakare, Kuda Lo’Dimi, Nyua and Tijor have been instructed to hold broad discussions aimed at finding common ground in the Nyamini land disputes.
The demarcation of Nyamini land has remained suspended since June, pending agreements among affected communities. For now, government officials insist that dialogue and legal ownership processes are the only way forward for resolving the long-standing disputes.
These disputes have already disrupted development in several areas of Juba, as investors remain cautious about purchasing land without clear documentation.
Analysts in the property industry say the situation could slow down the real estate sector, which has been one of the most active areas of private investment in South Sudan since the revitalisation of peace.
While the meeting also addressed other security matters, officials assured the public that Central Equatoria remains stable overall. However, the uncertainty surrounding land issues is seen as a growing business risk.
For many in Juba, land has become the most valuable form of capital. Families, businesses and foreign investors are all competing for limited plots, driving up prices but also heightening the risk of fraudulent sales and overlapping ownership claims.
A statement from the Central Equatoria State Government Press Unit stated that stricter enforcement of land registration and fair community consultation will ease the current tension. For now, the future of Juba’s real estate market depends on how well government and communities manage to restore confidence and transparency in land transactions.
Key Land Disputes in Juba in September 2025
| Location | Nature of Dispute | Government Action Taken | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyamini | Overlapping ownership claims among communities | Demarcation suspended since June, communities instructed to consult | Talks ongoing, no resolution yet |
| Lokwilili | Disputes linked to road demarcation | Road demarcation officially suspended | Awaiting settlement of disputes |
| Illakare | Boundary disputes among local communities | Communities directed to hold consultations | Dialogue in progress |
| Kuda Lo’Dimi | Land ownership disputes involving several families | Communities told to seek amicable solutions | Dispute not yet resolved |
| Nyua | Unclear land allocations leading to multiple claims | Consultations ordered by authorities | Resolution pending |
| Tijor | Customary land ownership disputes | Mediation encouraged by authorities | No clear outcome yet |
