'Land belongs to the community’: Demystifying the ‘global land grab’ in Southern Sudan
Loading...
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Sudan is among the global ‘hotspots’ for large-scale land acquisitions. Although most of this
investment activity was thought to be focused in the Northern part of the country, recent research
indicates that a surprising number of large-scale land acquisitions have taken place in the South as
well in recent years. Now that Southern Sudanese have opted for independence in the 2011
referendum on self-determination, investment activity will likely increase further. This paper
presents preliminary data concerning large-scale land acquisitions in two of the ‘Green Belt’ states
of Southern Sudan: Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria. It explores the concept ‘land belongs
to the community’, a statement that has been taken up by communities in their demand for
greater involvement in decision-making regarding community lands. It also examines processes of
company–community engagement and the extent to which rural communities are being involved in
investment projects. Finally, the paper presents a number of case studies that illustrate the
complex interplay between cultural sovereignty, conflict, and post-war reconstruction in Southern
Sudan. It concludes with recommendations for the government moving forward.
Description
Keywords
Sudan, Land acquisitions, Company–community engagement, Post-war reconstruction
Citation
Deng, D. K. (2011). ‘‘Land belongs to the community’: Demystifying the ‘global land grab’ in Southern Sudan’, LDPI Working Paper 4. PLAAS, UWC: Cape Town.