Tore Residents Seek Assurances Over Land Use in Lantoto Park

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Youth leaders, county officials and community representatives in Tore Payam have called for clearer consultation and formal agreements over ongoing wildlife conservation activities linked to Lantoto National Park in Yei River County.

The concerns were raised during separate stakeholder meetings held in Tore Payam and Yei Town, where discussions focused on conservation work associated with Enjojo Foundation and the national Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism.

Yei River County Youth Leader Mr Gaga Frank Justin attended a stakeholders meeting in Tore Payam organised by Enjojo Foundation to explain its operations in and around Lantoto National Park. The meeting brought together County Commissioner Hon Emmanuel Taban Seme, Members of Parliament representing Tore Constituency, local chiefs, youth, women and religious leaders.

Participants discussed cooperation between conservation actors and host communities to ensure protection of wildlife while supporting local development and peaceful coexistence.

During his visit, Mr Gaga also met youth leaders at payam and boma levels to discuss challenges facing young people, including limited opportunities and resources. He urged unity and cooperation among youth groups and pledged support in the form of furniture and stationery to strengthen coordination.

In a related meeting held in Yei Town, Tore Community Chairman Ali Hassan presented a position paper dated 30 September 2025 expressing concern over what he described as limited consultation and lack of inclusiveness in activities linked to the park’s establishment and management.

He said the community supports conservation and development but warned that current processes risk sidelining residents living in and around the proposed park area. He called for meaningful engagement and consent of host communities in projects of this scale.

The park area lies about 60 miles along the Yei Maridi road in Central Equatoria State and forms part of the Congo Basin ecosystem. Community leaders said that without clear boundary demarcation, transparent dialogue and proper social impact assessments, expansion of the park could affect settlements and livelihoods.

Representatives also raised concerns about what they described as uneven stakeholder engagement, alleging that recent consultations involved actors from Western Equatoria State more prominently than those from Central Equatoria, where the land is located.

Leaders called on the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and Enjojo Foundation to define park boundaries and establish buffer zones to protect nearby settlements. They insisted that no displacement should occur and that activities be guided by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the government, partners and the host community.

A Member of Parliament present at the meeting, Nusura, supported the Tore leadership and said operations in the payam should not proceed without a formal agreement. She said any arrangement must be legally recognised to prevent disputes over land ownership.

Residents including Joice Bakuwa and Simon Taban Archangello said they are not opposed to conservation but want guarantees that community rights and livelihoods will be protected.

Commissioner Seme acknowledged the concerns and said Tore residents must be treated as key stakeholders. He said the aim is not to remove Enjojo Foundation but to ensure inclusion and community ownership. He called for more public awareness on the park’s boundaries and objectives and reaffirmed support for dialogue.

Conservation efforts in South Sudan are seen as important for protecting wildlife and promoting eco tourism. However, local leaders stressed that participation, transparency and benefit sharing are essential for sustainable management.

By the time of publication, representatives of the Ministry and Enjojo Foundation had not publicly responded to the specific issues raised.