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Juba — 30 January 2026
The Council of Ministers of Central Equatoria State has decided to temporarily suspend ongoing construction work on an investment project located on a disputed plot of land in Juba, until the matter is resolved through amicable and legal means, ensuring the protection of the rights of all parties involved.
The decision comes against the backdrop of a land ownership dispute between the State Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment and St. Barnabas Diocese of the Episcopal Church over a plot within one of the forested areas in Juba.
In a press statement following the cabinet meeting, Jacob Aleigo, State Minister for Peacebuilding, explained that the Council had directed the Ministry of Housing, Lands, and Public Utilities, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment, to submit all relevant legal documents and records concerning the disputed land, in preparation for review and appropriate decision-making.
Minister Aleigo stated:
“Following the discussion of the submitted memorandum, the Council of Ministers has decided to temporarily suspend construction work until an amicable resolution to the dispute is reached. The Council also tasked the relevant ministries to present all available legal documents concerning the land, enabling the Council to take a sound legal position.”
During the meeting, the Council also issued additional decisions regarding items from previous meetings, with certain amendments, directing the concerned ministries to begin implementation immediately.
This step comes amid increasing land disputes in Juba, particularly cases involving land encroachment, with repeated allegations against some official entities for obstructing legal procedures or unlawfully occupying land belonging to religious or community institutions.
In this context, the Council referred to a previous case dating back to April of last year, when the administration of St. Stephen’s Diocese accused the state government of demolishing its structures under the pretext of seizing church land. Although a committee was formed to investigate the matter at that time, its findings have not yet been announced.
On the security front, the Council received a briefing from a member of the State Security Committee, noting that the overall security situation remains stable, with only limited and isolated incidents reported. The Council also commended the efforts of security agencies and ongoing operations against criminal groups across various counties, contributing to the maintenance of public order and the protection of citizens.
