Land grabbing has become a chronic issue since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and subsequent return of displaced populations to Central Equatoria State

By Binia Elizabeth

In a significant move to address one of Central Equatoria State’s most pressing issues, Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel met on Tuesday with the Chief Justice, Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng, to discuss the escalating land grabbing and a surge in social crimes across the state.

The meeting comes amid growing public concern over illegal land occupation, particularly in the outskirts of Juba and rural counties. Activities involving individuals or organized groups seizing land without legal title has fueled disputes, community tensions, and violence in several areas over the past decade.

Governor Mujung reaffirmed the state’s commitment to tackling the problem head on, citing a directive from President Salva Kiir for closer collaboration between state governments and the judiciary.

“We deliberated among ourselves and the need to engage the Judiciary so that a special court is established to deal with land grabbing,” Governor Mujung told reporters after the meeting.

Land grabbing has become a chronic issue since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and subsequent return of displaced populations to Central Equatoria. The absence of clear land titles, poor record-keeping, and weak legal enforcement have left many returnees vulnerable to dispossession. In Juba, land disputes have escalated into violence, often involving armed youth or individuals with political connections.

In response, Governor Mujung urged for stronger enforcement mechanisms and legal frameworks to peacefully resolve disputes and reclaim grabbed lands. He also requested the Judiciary to deploy lower-court judges to areas like Kajo-Keji to clear a growing backlog of cases.

The talks also covered rising social crimes, including gang activity involving groups known locally as “niggas” or “torontos,” as well as increased reports of robbery and suicide cases. The Governor advocated for the establishment of a dedicated court to handle public order offenses and ensure quicker legal processes.

Chief Justice Baak welcomed the discussions and noted the Judiciary’s role in promoting stability through timely justice.

Both leaders stressed the need for sustained cooperation between the state and national institutions to uphold the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights.

Governor Mujung was accompanied by Hon. Leon Abe Brown, State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency, and H.W. Johnson Swaka Nishak, Mayor of Juba City Council, both of whom have been vocal in previous forums about the need to address illegal land occupation and urban crime.

Land grabbing has plagued Central Equatoria since the return of displaced communities after decades of civil war. Juba and surrounding counties such as Yei, Lainya, and Kajo-Keji have witnessed thousands of cases where individuals returned to find their ancestral lands occupied. In some cases, powerful figures have allegedly facilitated or protected the illegal acquisitions.

Civil society groups have repeatedly called on the government to take firmer action, warning that unresolved land conflicts could undermine peacebuilding efforts and economic recovery in the region.

With this latest high-level engagement between the Executive and Judiciary, citizens are hopeful that steps will now be taken to reclaim grabbed lands, restore order, and ensure justice for all affected.