The Central Equatoria State (CES) government has distanced itself from ongoing illegal land distribution and warned the public against buying land from unauthorized individuals and groups.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, CES Minister of Housing, Land and Public Utilities, David Morbe Aquilino, said land grabbing has become rampant in various parts of Juba County, particularly in Mangalla, Luri, Rajaf, and Lado Payams.
The minister asserted that neither the Ministry nor the Governor’s office has authorized any demarcation in those areas.
“I want to make it clear that we are not demarcating any land in those areas,” Minister Morbe stated. “The Ministry of Housing and the Central Equatoria State government are not involved in the illegal activities taking place in those locations.”
The Minister warned the public against falling victim to land grabbers who use fake documents bearing forged government stamps and logos to deceive buyers.
“These individuals will lie to you with fake documents, claiming to have been given authority by the CES government,” Morbe cautioned. “Do not be deceived. If you need land or information related to land ownership, come directly to the Ministry. That’s the only legal way.”
Last week, the National High-Level Land Committee adopted several resolutions aimed at intensifying efforts to address land-related disputes in Juba and its surrounding areas.
The committee, established in 2021 by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, was formed in response to escalating cases of land grabbing and illegal settlements.
The meeting was chaired by National Minister of Land, Housing, and Urban Development Michael Chiengjiek, co-chaired by Central Equatoria State Governor Gen. Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani, and attended by senior government and security officials.
Minister Morbe reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to restoring lawful land management, urging citizens with legitimate documents to remain patient.
“I want to make it unequivocally clear that my initial Ministerial Order concerning the demarcation or re-demarcation of areas previously surveyed by the Ministry remains in full force – no further demarcations will be permitted in those zones,” Morbe asserted.
Emmanuel Tete Ezbon, Commissioner of Juba County, also addressed the press, highlighting the committee’s plan to engage local stakeholders – including chiefs, community leaders, intellectuals, and Members of Parliament – in finding lasting solutions to ongoing land conflicts.
