Rapid Response to Land Disputes
Central Equatoria State Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel has unveiled a proposal for a special court dedicated to land grabbing cases, arguing that fast-tracked justice would deter illegal occupation and boost investor confidence.
The idea emerged after closed-door talks in Juba with Chief Justice Dr Benjamin Baak Deng, echoing President Salva Kiir’s call for tighter synergy between state executives and the national judiciary.
Mujung told reporters, “We need an institution that can handle these matters promptly and fairly so communities feel protected and investors feel safe.”
Why Land Conflicts Persist
Years of displacement during conflict left property boundaries blurred, while rapid post-peace urbanisation in Juba pushes demand for residential plots beyond available surveyed land.
Local NGOs estimate that informal sales now account for almost half of new settlements, raising tensions between returning refugees, host communities and opportunistic speculators.
Broader Crime Wave in Focus
The governor’s delegation also urged special benches for public-order offenses, citing a spike in robberies, suicide and youth-gang violence blamed on groups nicknamed “niggas” and “torontos”.
Mayor Johnson Swaka Nishak said coordinated policing “needs matching courtroom efficiency; otherwise arrests mean little.”
Judicial Capacity Constraints
Kajo-Keji County Commissioner has appealed for second- and third-grade judges to ease case backlogs, an issue mirrored across South Sudan’s ten states.
Analyst James Okot of the Sudd Institute notes that specialised tribunals succeed only if adequately staffed, funded and insulated from political interference.
Path Ahead for Rule of Law
Chief Justice Deng has pledged to study the proposal, while the state cabinet prepares draft legislation for submission to the national assembly within months.
Observers predict the court could become a precedent for other states grappling with land disputes, positioning Central Equatoria as a testing ground for post-conflict judicial reform.