The Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources (CSCNR) has launched the South Sudan National Land Coalition (SSNLC), marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen land governance and protect land rights.
The launch event, held on Wednesday under the theme "Securing
Inclusive Leadership and Commitment for Equitable Land Governance Fostering
Community Engagement," also saw the election of Dorothy Drabuga as the
first chairperson of the SSNLC.
In her acceptance speech, Dorothy Drabuga expressed
gratitude for the trust placed in her leadership and pledged to work
collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the coalition’s mission.
“I’m not going to disappoint you. This is not just a title;
it’s a call for responsible leadership. We will be collaborating on everything
we do because, as you know, land in South Sudan cannot be addressed by one
person or one organization,” Drabuga said.
Drabuga emphasized that the coalition’s focus will be on
addressing land grabbing, supporting vulnerable communities, and promoting
women’s land rights, which are often undermined by customary laws.
“We are in a country where we are driven by the customary
law and most of this customary laws are negative towards women so we need to see
into that all men and women have equal rights to land,” she noted.
She pointed to the South Sudan Women’s Land Rights Agenda, a
regional initiative spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD), which aims to strengthen women’s access to and control over
land in member states.
“We need to sensitize people on what the constitution says
about the right of inheritance and also the local government act plus in the
South Sudan land act 2009 also South Sudan women’s land rights agenda. This is
an initiative by IGAD for the IGAD states, each country has been asked to
develop by women’s land right agenda of which is South Sudan had already
developed,” she said.
Charles Judo, Chairperson of the Civil Society Coalition on
Natural Resources, congratulated the new leadership and called for strong
commitment from all members to ensure the success of the SSNLC.
“This is an important milestone for South Sudan to
transmission to this level through international land coalition. We are now
step out to the window of being part of international level and ensure that
whatever is done is he also connected whatever policy that maintained at the
international level we are also part of that globe and we can be able to relate
to the world,” Judo stated.
He expressed confidence in Dorothy Drabuga’s leadership,
urging members and partners to offer their support.
“I have full confidence that under her leadership, great achievements
will be made. This will only be possible with your support and that would
include you as well to support this leadership without your support it will not
aspire it will not move on with your support this body will be seen high and high
and as the society coalition of national resources, it will be hand supporting
this body to ensure that it stands on its feet and also relates to
international land coalition and other international bodies,” he added.
The formation of the SSNLC represents a unified effort by
civil society to address issues of land governance, promote equitable access to
land, and safeguard the rights of marginalized communities in South Sudan.