• Open letter campaign backed by 50 national and international organizations and personalities urges lawmakers to pass South Sudan’s National Land Policy (NLP) as Parliament prepares to reconvene 

• In 2018, the Revitalized Peace Agreement mandated the development and implementation of a comprehensive land policy to address inequities, corruption, and conflict 

• The bill has met delays and inaction since its conception, but momentum is finally growing as the Council of Ministers approved the NLP in October 2023 and the policy was officially tabled for deliberation in Parliament in November 2024. 

Juba, South Sudan – [Wednesday, June 4, 2025] – As South Sudan’s Parliament prepares to reconvene in the coming days, the South Sudan Land Alliance (SSuLA), a coalition of civil society organizations and land rights advocates, is calling on the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to prioritize the passage of the National Land Policy (NLP). The policy, which was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 27, 2023, and tabled before Parliament on November 21, 2024, has been in development for nearly two decades. 

In advance of Parliament’s reopening, SSuLA, backed by 50 national and international organizations and with support from the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), has released an open letter urging lawmakers to pass the NLP without further delay. The campaign, launched under the banner #LandForSouthSudan, highlights the critical need for a comprehensive policy to resolve land disputes, secure land tenure, and promote sustainable development, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth. 

“For nearly 20 years, South Sudanese communities have waited for a land policy that safeguards their rights, reduces conflict, and unlocks development opportunities,” said a representative of SSuLA. “With Parliament set to reopen, we urge lawmakers to act boldly and make the National Land Policy a top legislative priority.” 

The policy’s delay continues to hinder the implementation of key provisions of the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), signed on September 18, 2018. Article 4.8.2.1.1 of the agreement mandates the timely development and implementation of a national land policy as part of the broader land reform agenda. 

In the open letter addressed to Rt. Hon. Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and Hon. Ambrose Lomin, Chairperson of the Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure, SSuLA outlines three urgent calls to action: 

• Accelerate deliberation and approve the NLP without further delay. 

• Commit financial and technical resources for implementation. 

• Ensure the policy upholds international standards for land rights, with a focus on marginalized communities. 

“The NLP represents more than legislation. It is a pathway to peace, equity, and environmental resilience,” said the representative. “Failure to act risks deepening land disputes, discouraging sustainable investment, and worsening climate vulnerability.” 

With land-related conflicts persisting across the country, advocates say passage of the NLP would be a historic step toward stability and inclusive growth.  

The open letter remains open for endorsements and can be accessed and signed online here. 

Media Contact:
Dorothy Drabuga Ambrose, Chairperson 

South Sudan Land Alliance (SSuLA)
[email protected] 

(+211) 922 465 375