Individual Corruption

Citizens in Southern Sudan have complained that their land has been unlawfully sold - some by individuals who were not true owners, some double-sold and some sold without permission, as reported in a 2007 news article by Sudan Tribune. According to the head of the Southern Sudan land commission, Robert Lado, this could be due to corruption.

According to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, traditional communal land ownership has not been recognised by the state, and local communities that are located in or near the new oil fields are often being displaced with little regard for their land rights. Moreover, many of the people displaced from their lands during the civil war, are now returning home, only to discover that their lands have been seized by others, including former leaders and soldiers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).

Political Corruption

According to a 2006 news article by Sudan Today, real estate deals in Khartoum involving high-ranking politicians, such as the First Vice President of Sudan/President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit, are tainted by corruption. Furthermore, land prices and house construction bills are often inflated.

By law, expropriation of property can only occur after 'reasonable' compensation is provided. Nonetheless, as illustrated by the US Department of State 2009, there have been numerous disputes between the government and various churches involving confiscated church property, but no reports of court-ordered property restitution or compensation.

Frequency

The World Bank & IFC: Doing Business 2011:
- It takes an average of 6 procedures over the duration of 9 days to secure rights to property.

- The cost of securing rights to property is 3% of the property value.

- Registering property in Sudan is not as bureaucratic or time-consuming as in other countries in the region.