(BENTIU, UNITY STATE) – The Unity State government has returned several properties belonging to the South Sudan Islamic Council, including administrative offices, schools, guest houses and commercial shops near mosques in Bentiu and Rubkona. The confirmation was made by the Council’s Secretary General, Abdallah Baraj Rual Kuot.
On 21 August, Governor Justice Riek Bim Top instructed the Ministry of Engineering Affairs and Public Utilities to officially hand over the assets. The move follows a presidential directive issued in 2018 by President Salva Kiir, which called for all Muslim owned assets across the country to be restored to the Islamic Council, the body legally responsible for managing Muslim affairs and properties.
Governor Bim announced the decision during an official meeting at the State Government Secretariat. Delegates included representatives from the Islamic Council led by Mrs. Nyanchieng Bieh, Mayor of Bentiu and member of the National Chura Council, and Sheikh Belal Koang Malual, the head of the Council in Unity State, along with other members.
The assets had previously been taken over by individuals who used their positions of authority for personal gain. Governor Bim said the return of the properties was part of his administration’s commitment to justice, rule of law and national efforts to restore the rights of the Muslim community.
Speaking to media, Secretary General Kuot welcomed the initiative. He said the Governor’s decision was in line with President Kiir’s 2018 announcement during the annual Ramadan Iftar, which directed all states and administrative areas to return properties belonging to the Islamic Council.
“We received news that the Governor of Unity State has taken the initiative to return Muslim properties, including houses, schools and rest houses in Bentiu and Rubkona counties, that had been seized by parties and individuals,” Kuot said.
The Council has described the recovery of the properties as an important step towards ensuring proper management of religious assets in South Sudan.
