MALAKAL, 25 October 2026 — A civil society coalition has handed over 30 land registration documents to vulnerable residents in Malakal, Upper Nile State, who lost their property papers during years of conflict and displacement. The initiative is intended to strengthen property rights and reduce the risk of land-related disputes.
The document handover was organized by the Coalition of Civil Society on Natural Resources (CSCNR) in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and state authorities as part of an awareness campaign on land ownership, registration procedures, and legal rights.
According to organizers, the program focused on vulnerable groups, including widows, orphans, older persons, internally displaced people, returnees, and persons with disabilities who have been affected by conflict and displacement.
Charles Judo, chairperson of the coalition, said 30 eligible residents who had lost their land registration documents during periods of conflict were identified and assisted through the initiative. Their documentation was processed before the certificates were officially handed over.
Judo said the initiative seeks to improve land tenure security, help prevent disputes over ownership, and support peaceful coexistence in communities recovering from years of instability.
The coalition noted that Upper Nile State has experienced prolonged conflict and displacement since 2013, circumstances that have contributed to the loss of important legal and property documents among affected residents.
As part of the campaign, an awareness session was conducted for 44 participants, including community leaders, internally displaced persons, returnees, youth representatives, and women’s groups. Discussions focused on land ownership, land management, and methods for resolving disputes.
Chukwan Philip, Director General at the Ministry of Roads, Bridges and Physical Infrastructure, welcomed the initiative and outlined provisions of South Sudan’s Land Act 2009 governing land acquisition, ownership, and access.
According to Philip, the law recognizes customary, freehold, and leasehold land tenure systems and includes provisions related to housing, cultivation, grazing, and other lawful land uses. He also cited Section 78(1) of the Land Act, which addresses the restoration of land rights lost through involuntary displacement.
Participants called for the program to be expanded to assist additional residents who have lost land registration documents. Beneficiaries also appealed for lower registration fees and greater support for housing and infrastructure development in affected communities. radiotamazuj.org
Sources
Primary Source: Radio Tamazuj, “Vulnerable residents in Malakal receive 30 land registration documents” (25 October 2026). Available at: Radio Tamazuj report radiotamazuj.org, radiotamazuj.org
Background Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Displacement Tracking Matrix, “South Sudan — Biometric Registration: Malakal Town Sites (August 2025).” Available at: IOM DTM report dtm.iom.int
Editor’s Note: This article is based on information reported by Radio Tamazuj and supporting background material from the International Organization for Migration. All factual information has been attributed to the cited sources
