Jebel Lado Community Seeks State Intervention on Land Grabbing Crisis

(JUBA) – The residents of Jebel Lado Payam in Central Equatoria State have appealed to the state leadership to urgently intervene in what they describe as a worsening crisis of organised land grabbing that has triggered insecurity, displacement and food shortages in the area.

On Sunday, a delegation from the Jebel Lado Development Union met with the Governor of Central Equatoria State, H.E. Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, to voice their concerns over the rising incidents of illegal land occupation and related violence.

The delegation was led by Mr. Juma Tombe Farajallah, Chairperson of the Union, who described the land seizures as systematic and violent, resulting in the deaths of locals and the forceful eviction of indigenous families from their ancestral land.

“Your Excellency, we are calling upon your leadership to urgently intervene and ensure this issue is addressed once and for all,” said Tombe, adding that the community could no longer cope with the displacement and lack of access to farmland, which has worsened food insecurity.

The community warned that the organised nature of the land grabbing threatened to undermine long term peace and social cohesion in the Payam, as some individuals were allegedly backed by unnamed powerful actors.

Governor Mujung welcomed the community’s engagement and thanked them for raising the matter through peaceful dialogue. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring order and resolving the crisis.

“My priorities are peace, unity and security,” Governor Mujung stated, encouraging the community to remain calm and united while the state investigates the matter and engages stakeholders to find lasting solutions.

The governor also emphasised the importance of respecting legal processes and vowed to work with security and land authorities to address the root causes of the conflict.

Residents have reported a growing number of individuals occupying land illegally in recent months, with some using armed groups to intimidate landowners. The result has been an exodus of vulnerable families, crop destruction and disruption of local livelihoods.