Governor Louis Lobong Lojore of Eastern Equatoria State. |File photo.

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State Louis Lobong Lojore has ordered an immediate stop to ongoing land demarcation activities in and around Torit Town following complaints from local communities.

According to a statement from the Office of the Governor, the decision came after community members petitioned the governor, accusing authorities of carrying out forceful land demarcation without proper consultation.

During a meeting with the community, Governor Lobong said land demarcation should only be conducted after mutual understanding and agreement with local residents.

He clarified that the state cabinet’s approval of the exercise was intended to address land issues across Eastern Equatoria State and not specifically target Torit Town.

Governor Lobong also said he had never authorized forceful land demarcation and promised to revoke any exercise conducted under such circumstances.

He directed the Mayor of Torit and the County Commissioner to ensure local communities are consulted before any future land allocation or demarcation activities are carried out.

The governor specifically cancelled recent demarcation activities at Odikholong near the former UNMISS base now occupied by Torit University of Science and Technology.

The decision comes weeks after the state government unveiled a new land-sharing framework aimed at modernizing Torit through planned urban development and structured land distribution.

Under the earlier proposal, the government said 40 percent of demarcated land would be allocated to host communities, while 60 percent would remain under government administration.

The plan also proposed revenue sharing from ground rent collections, with 25 percent directed to local communities and 75 percent allocated to public services and development projects.

However, concerns later emerged from sections of the Hatiha Community, who accused authorities of carrying out forceful land demarcation without proper consultation.

Following a meeting with community leaders, Governor Lobong ordered the immediate cancellation of all ongoing demarcation exercises around Torit, including activities at Odikholong near Torit University of Science and Technology.