Joppa Two Security Situation Returns to Calm
Authorities in Juba County report that calm has returned to Joppa Two, a residential settlement in Luri Payam, following weekend clashes linked to alleged land grabbing. The violence left at least two people dead and several others injured, according to local officials.
Central Equatoria Officials Cite Swift Security Response
In a statement issued Sunday, the Office of the Commissioner said state security organs intervened quickly to contain the unrest and restore order in the neighbourhood on the outskirts of Juba. Officials framed the response as aimed at stabilising the community and preventing further escalation.
Security Advisor Warns Against Illegal Land Demarcation
The State Advisor on Security and Peace, Angelo Daya, cautioned residents against involvement in what authorities described as illegal land activities that have repeatedly driven tensions in the area. “The State Advisor on Security and Peace has issued a strong warning to residents of Joppa Two,” the statement said.
Officials Say No Authorised Land Demarcation in the State
Angelo Daya warned individuals “claiming to be chiefs and illegally demarcating land” that they would face “immediate arrest and legal action.” He also stressed that “there is no authorised land demarcation in any part of Central Equatoria State,” urging residents to cooperate with security authorities.
Police Leadership Says Order Has Been Restored
Police leadership said the situation is under control. Lt. Gen. Andrea Martin Hassen, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police in the state, said security forces “successfully managed to curb the situation,” adding that “the security situation in Joppa Two is now calm.”
Juba County Commissioner Rejects Opposition Claims
The Commissioner of Juba County, Emmanuel Tete Ezbon, rejected claims circulating from opposition quarters about the cause of the violence. The statement said he considered assertions by SPLM/A-IO “baseless,” and maintained that the unrest was driven by land grabbers, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Land Disputes and Informal Development Fuel Recurring Tensions
Joppa has faced long-running disputes over plots amid rapid, informal development, with recurring allegations of illegal allocations and unauthorised actors marking land. Authorities recalled that in July last year, former governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel suspended land demarcation and allotment along Road-40 in Joppa.
Patrols Intensified as Investigations Continue
Local authorities said patrols have been intensified and investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the recent violence. Residents were urged to take land-related concerns through official government structures rather than informal actors, as officials warned that illegal land claims would face prosecution.