A violent clash erupted Thursday morning between members of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and residents of the Gezira area in Juba’s Munuki neighborhood over a long-standing land dispute.
The conflict is believed to stem from a disagreement between the church and Central Equatoria State government over ownership of the land.
The Rev. Paul Samuel Paul, parish priest of Munuki St. Stephen Parish, accused the state government on Easter Sunday of demolishing church buildings in an attempt to seize the property.
However, both the community and state officials denied the allegations, instead accusing the church of forging the land title.
On Thursday, church members entered a neighboring property, removing a fence and covering a newly dug latrine. Residents responded by throwing stones, forcing the church members to retreat until police arrived.
Benjamin Bali, chairperson of the Gezira residential area, told Radio Tamazuj that the church had organized a demonstration, with participants wearing black clothing, which alarmed residents.
“The church decided to call their clerics and mothers at night to come here in the morning to demonstrate, and everyone should put on a black cloth. I don’t know what they meant, whether they were coming to kill or to pray,” Bali said.
He blamed the church for instigating the violence.
“When they came, the church women found someone had constructed his fence and immediately started to remove the bamboo material and covering the latrine hole. That is what angered the community and prompted the fighting,” Bali said.
He urged residents to remain calm while pursuing legal action against those who damaged property.
The primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Justin Badi Arama, denied any intent to confront the government but accused officials of land grabbing. He announced a month of prayer and fasting over the dispute.
“I want to declare one month of prayers for this church and all the lands of the Episcopal Church in South Sudan. In one month, for three days, we will come and pray in this place, we will sit here for two hours, tomorrow at 2 p.m. We will continue until the bulldozer comes and demolishes the church,” he said.
Central Equatoria State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Satimon Andu Lupai called the incident “regrettable” and apologized, urging dialogue.
“It is regrettable and we apologise. We call for dialogue, and we are going to sit together with them, and I believe we are going to get an amicable solution,” Lupai said.
He added that all land allotments in the area have been suspended until a resolution is reached.
