By Louis Loku
The commissioner of Juba County, Samuel Emiliano Wani Pitia, has issued a local order suspending all illegal land demarcation and land grabbing activities.
The order also banned unlawful land-related activities across the county in an effort to restore proper land administration.
According to Local Order No. 1/2026, which took effect immediately, all individuals, groups, and unauthorised actors involved in illegal allocation, surveying, or occupation of land have been directed to stop their activities without delay.
The order warns that anyone found violating the directive will face legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, cancellation of land allotment documents, and prosecution in accordance with the laws governing land administration in South Sudan.
Commissioner Pitia further directed security organs, law enforcement agencies, Payam authorities, and local administrators to ensure strict enforcement of the order across all Payams and Bomas within Juba County.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over illegal land dealings and disputes affecting residents in different parts of the county.
The commissioner emphasised that the order is intended to restore lawful land management, maintain public order, and protect communities from unlawful land practices that continue to create tension among residents.
The Central Equatoria State Ministry of Housing, Lands, and Public Utilities also issued repeated warnings to residents against dealing with illegal land brokers and criminal groups accused of selling land using forged documents in areas around Juba County, including Mangala, Luri, Rajaf, and Ladu Payams.
In addition, state authorities have previously ordered the reclamation of public spaces illegally occupied by land grabbers and launched operations to halt unlawful land allocations in parts of Juba and surrounding areas.
These measures are aimed at reducing land disputes, restoring public confidence in land administration, and protecting communities from forced evictions and violence linked to illegal land activities.
Land-related conflicts remain one of the major challenges facing communities in and around Juba, with disputes often fueled by rapid urban expansion, weak enforcement of land laws, and unauthorised allocation of plots.
Officials are expected to begin monitoring and implementing the directive immediately to ensure compliance with the new measures.