South Sudan, one of Africa’s most diverse countries and the world’s youngest Nation, is at a critical juncture. Nearly 14 years after gaining independence as the outcome of an agreement that ended Africa’s longest-running civil war, the country remains entangled in political instability, internal conflicts, and economic stagnation—many of which stem from land disputes and weak governance structures. Despite being home to over 60 major ethnic groups, South Sudan lacks a comprehensive land policy, leaving communities vulnerable to land grabs, exclusion, and conflict.
Since 2006, efforts to establish a National Land Policy (NLP) have been met with repeated delays and political inaction. Now, with the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) set to resume work in April 2025, South Sudanese civil society and international partners are urging decision-makers to finally pass the NLP and take a crucial step toward securing land rights, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring long-term peace. You can join their call by signing their Open Letter.
Land as the root of conflict and inequality
Although the Transitional Constitution of 2011 establishes that “all land belongs to the people of South Sudan,” the lack of a comprehensive land policy has led to widespread conflicts over land use, exacerbated by weak institutional frameworks. For decades, land has been a source of corruption and exclusion by powerful individuals, including political elites, government officials, and business tycoons that have led to:
- Escalating land disputes between farmers and pastoralist communities
- Marginalization of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and women, who often lack formal land tenure security
- Lost economic opportunities, as insecure land tenure discourages long-term investments in sustainable industries
- Food insecurity, with many South Sudanese fleeing rural areas due to land-related violence, reducing agricultural production
- Vulnerability to climate change as deforestation, flooding, and droughts worsen under weak land governance
A comprehensive and inclusive land policy is critical for addressing these challenges and ensuring equitable access to land, especially with the urgent threat of climate change. Secure land tenure is a vital factor in building climate resilience in the country. However, after nearly two decades of stalled progress, South Sudan is running out of time.
A policy stuck in limbo
The South Sudan National Land Policy (SSNLP) has been agonizing since 2006 when consultations started due to a lack of commitment and political will. Recognizing the urgent need for land reform, the Revitalized Peace Agreement of 2018, through Article 4.8.2.1.1, mandated the expeditious and timely development and implementation of a comprehensive land policy to rectify inequitable land access and malpractices.
Despite this mandate, the NLP remains stalled, perpetuating land-related challenges that have plagued South Sudan for decades.
In 2023, five years after the mandate, the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development conducted several consultative meetings with different stakeholders, finally paving the way for the approval of the NLP by the Council of Ministers in October.
Later, in 2024, after new consultations and building consensus among legislators and other stakeholders toward introducing an inclusive NLP, the bill was presented to the Standing Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to study the bill. In November, the NLP was expected to be debated and passed, but it was postponed twice.
This repeated lack of political will and inaction is fueling social unrest and economic stagnation. The longer South Sudan goes without a comprehensive land policy, the greater the risk of deepening inequalities and escalating conflicts.
A critical moment for action
April 2025 marks the resumption of the TNLA’s legislative session, a new gleam of hope for the NLP and the prospect for the people of South Sudan to re-signify land as a blessing, a symbol of national unity, peace and prosperity for all without discrimination.
This small, yet decisive window of opportunity is uniting civil society and local communities through the #LandForSouthSudan campaign to demand lawmakers to act now and ensure the NLP is passed without further delay. Join us in calling on the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to:
- Accelerate Deliberation: Expedite the legislative process and approve the NLP to prevent further instability.
- Commit Resources for Implementation: Ensure adequate financial and technical support for rolling out the policy effectively.
- Strengthen Inclusivity and Equity: Uphold international standards to secure the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth.
Your voice matters! Sign our Open Letter urging the TNLA to pass the NLP when they resume work in April. Your support will help pressure decision-makers to take action and uphold the land rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Sign here: https://forms.gle/8frDmMwy5YU83Lxo9
This is a historic opportunity to ensure land justice, good governance, and climate resilience in South Sudan and the country cannot afford further delays. Stand with us and demand #LandForSouthSudan and #NLPNow—because justice cannot wait.
