Yambio Meeting Pushes for Clearer Wills and Documentation

(YAMBIO, WESTERN EQUATORIA) – A new report has revealed that 92 percent of South Sudanese citizens do not have written wills, leaving families vulnerable to property disputes, exploitation and financial insecurity when a loved one dies.

The findings were released at a high level policy dialogue in Yambio organised by the Organization for Liberty and Entrepreneurship (OLENT) under the theme Ending Family Property Disputes. The forum brought together chiefs, lawyers, bankers, police officers, and civil society representatives to discuss how inheritance laws and next of kin documentation could be reformed to protect families.

The study found that nine out of ten citizens without wills also lack formal documentation such as land titles or bank records. Without these, widows, orphans, and surviving relatives struggle to claim property legally, leaving many trapped in poverty.

Samuel Bati Agustin, a lawyer who facilitated the training, said inheritance rights needed to be clearly separated from next of kin claims. “From now on, being a next of kin should not automatically mean inheriting property,” he said. “Families deserve peace of mind, not conflict, when someone passes away.”

The report also showed that 87 percent of South Sudanese are unaware of their inheritance rights. In addition, 95 percent of banks do not inform families about dormant accounts or guide them through next of kin procedures.

For many, these gaps are not just statistics but lived experiences. “When my husband died, his brothers claimed our land and left me with nothing,” said Mary Pio, a widow in Yambio. “If there was a clear will, my children would still have a home. This campaign gives us hope that things will change.”

OLENT’s Executive Director, Mr David Benjamin Ginana, said the survey covered 279 people across seven states and revealed a pattern of vulnerability that requires urgent action. “This report paints a troubling picture of the legal and financial limbo faced by thousands of families. Civic education and policy reforms are urgently needed to protect inheritance rights and prevent widows, children, and other vulnerable groups from being forced into poverty,” he said.

Interestingly, the lack of wills is not limited to the uneducated. Nearly half of respondents had completed secondary school, while 31 percent had tertiary education. Yet most admitted they had no understanding of inheritance law or documentation processes.

Experts point to examples from other African countries that once faced similar challenges. Ghana reformed its inheritance laws in the 1980s, creating better protections for widows and children. Kenya introduced the Law of Succession Act, which simplified the process of writing wills and empowered local chiefs to mediate disputes. Uganda has used nationwide civic education campaigns to raise awareness, especially in rural areas.

“This report is a crucial step toward empowering South Sudanese families to secure their future,” said Stephen Dansu, a policy analyst from Ghana. “Countries like Ghana and Kenya show that with the right laws and awareness campaigns, families can be protected from exploitation. South Sudan must act now.”

OLENT has urged the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to work with financial institutions and civil society to draft a national inheritance law, strengthen next-of-kin documentation systems, and roll out public education programmes.

For communities in Western Equatoria and elsewhere, such reforms could be transformative. Clear inheritance systems would allow widows to stay in their homes, children to inherit their parents’ land, and families to avoid years of costly disputes.

“Wills are not just about property,” Ginana said. “They are about dignity, justice, and protecting families from falling into poverty after losing a loved one.”

Civil society groups say the ultimate goal is to normalise the culture of writing wills across South Sudan, ensuring that families of all backgrounds have their rights protected and their futures secured.

Inheritance Challenges in South Sudan