In a recent development, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Mr. Edmund Yakani, has strongly condemned the brazen actions of land grabbers who have been causing disturbances in Jebel Ladu Payam.
The situation escalated when law enforcement agencies attempted to confront the land grabbers who were encroaching on plots allocated to state institutions and private individuals. Shockingly, the land grabbers resorted to an armed confrontation with the government forces, firing guns and creating a tense standoff.
Mr. Yakani emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and urged the government not to compromise with those engaging in unlawful activities. He stressed the need for due legal process to be followed in dealing with such matters, emphasizing that the issue of land governance is becoming politically motivated and could potentially lead to large-scale armed violence.
Furthermore, Mr. Yakani called upon the authorities, including the Governor of Central Equatoria State, the Honourable Commissioner of Juba County, and law enforcement agencies, to take immediate action to enforce the law in areas affected by land grabbing. He also cautioned against tribal settlements and ethnic tensions, which have historically been triggers for violence in South Sudan.
In conclusion, Mr. Yakani urged for a swift resolution to the situation in Jebel Ladu Payam and emphasized that issues of land grabbing should not be taken lightly. The government’s response to such criminal acts must be guided by adherence to legal processes to ensure justice and prevent further escalation of violence.
As tensions remain high, the call for decisive action to address land grabbing and uphold the rule of law in South Sudan has never been more urgent.