Abstract
The longstanding displacement in South Sudan, particularly in Unity State, continues to challenge national recovery and human security. Despite being one of Africa’s most resource-rich regions, many communities in Unity State face cycles of flooding, pollution, and livelihood loss. The Kampala Convention, adopted by South Sudan in 2019, legally obligates the government to protect and assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) through durable solutions. This opinion piece explores the importance of securing land access for IDPs as a fundamental step toward sustainable reintegration, peacebuilding, and economic resilience. Drawing inspiration from Francis M. Deng’s scholarship on internal displacement, the article argues that access to land is not a privilege but a human right essential to dignity, recovery, and development.
Introduction
In the aftermath of years of conflict and climate-related disasters, South Sudan continues to grapple with large-scale internal displacement. Nowhere is this crisis more visible than in Unity State, where communities face a dual threat of environmental vulnerability and loss of livelihoods. Frequent flooding from the Sudd wetlands, combined with pollution from oil extraction, has pushed families from their ancestral homes into precarious living conditions. While humanitarian assistance has helped meet immediate needs, the question of land access and long-term settlement remains unresolved. Access to safe and fertile land is the foundation upon which internally displaced persons (IDPs) can rebuild their lives with dignity. As South Sudan continues to uphold its commitments under the Kampala Convention, ensuring that displaced populations can resettle and farm securely is essential for both peacebuilding and national recovery.
The Kampala Convention and the Right to Land
Adopted on 23 October 2009, the Kampala Convention stands as Africa’s first legally binding framework to protect and assist internally displaced persons. It obligates states to prevent displacement, protect the displaced, and provide durable solutions. South Sudan’s adoption of the Convention demonstrates a commitment to these principles.
The Convention emphasizes that access to land for IDPs should not be treated as charity but as a legal entitlement grounded in human rights. As Francis M. Deng, a leading scholar on displacement once said “Internally displaced persons deserve the same rights and protections as any other citizens, regardless of their displacement.” Ensuring secure land access enables displaced families to rebuild livelihoods, foster stability, and contribute to national reconstruction.
Understanding the Context of Displacement in Unity State
Unity State, located in the north-central part of South Sudan, has endured multiple crises that continue to uproot communities. Recurring floods, driven by the Sudd wetlands, have rendered vast areas uninhabitable, displacing thousands of families. In addition, oil extraction activities—particularly in areas like Leer, Rubkona, and Bentiu—have contributed to environmental degradation, contamination of water sources, and the destruction of grazing land.
These overlapping challenges have deepened poverty and eroded livelihoods, especially for family’s dependent on farming, fishing, and cattle rearing. Many IDPs remain trapped on small patches of dry land for months, surviving under precarious conditions that make permanent resettlement and recovery difficult.
Towards Durable Solutions: Land Use and Livelihood Restoration
Providing IDPs with formal land use agreements is a sustainable pathway to recovery. In Unity State, where many areas are flood-prone, identifying higher and safer ground for relocation is critical. The state government, in collaboration with local chiefs and the Ministry of Lands, can issue land use certificates or written agreements that specify the size, duration, and purpose of occupation whether for housing, farming, or grazing.
Such formalization promotes transparency, reduces land disputes, and enables humanitarian actors to safely invest in infrastructure such as schools, clinics, and clean water systems. Over time, IDPs can transition from temporary occupants to permanent residents, depending on environmental and security conditions.
Promising Relocation Areas and Opportunities
Certain regions in South Sudan present viable opportunities for resettlement.
- Yei _in Central Equatoria State, offers fertile soil, reliable water sources, and a favourable climate for agriculture. The area’s relative stability and proximity to established markets make it suitable for long-term settlement.
- Wau _in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, situated on elevated terrain, experiences minimal flooding and benefits from better infrastructure—schools, hospitals, and road networks. It already hosts IDP populations, indicating community acceptance and coexistence potential.
Relocating families from flood-affected Unity State to such stable regions requires logistical support, planning, and inclusive dialogue. However, these relocations, when guided by respect for rights and cultural considerations, can transform humanitarian dependency into self-reliance.
Collaborative Pathways for Implementation
Addressing displacement and land insecurity requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Government institutions, humanitarian agencies, traditional authorities, and civil society organizations must coordinate efforts. The government can lead by:
- Mapping flood-free zones suitable for habitation.
- Developing land allocation frameworks aligned with the Kampala Convention.
- Partnering with NGOs to deliver shelter, health care, and livelihood programs.
- Promoting community participation in planning and decision making.
Such collaboration not only enhances trust but also builds institutional capacity for long-term land governance and environmental management.
Conclusion: Turning Promises into Action
The people of Unity State deserve more than temporary relief, they deserve the right to rebuild their lives with dignity and security. Ensuring access to safe land and sustainable livelihoods aligns with both the spirit of the Kampala Convention and South Sudan’s national development vision.
Empowering IDPs through secure land rights transforms displacement from a humanitarian crisis into an opportunity for renewal and stability. It is through practical rights-based approaches, not blame that the dream of a peaceful, resilient South Sudan can be realized.
Sathish Taderera
Mavis Mbaiwa
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
