Protest as Oil Company wants to evict South Sudanese farmers from their land for its expansion

The Unity State Agriculture Minister in South Sudan has warned a local oil establishment against its plans to relocate thousands of farmers from a section of land to clear space for more drilling.

The Minister of Agriculture in the Unity State of South Sudan, Gai Gatdweil, has therefore rejected the request by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, an oil company which wants to push back by a radius of over 45 kilometers all local communities living around the oil fields.

Gai Gatweil has termed the proposed clearance move by Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC) as “illegal” and that its request had bypassed official channels. 

The Unity State Minister warned that forced relocations would negatively impact agriculture, particularly during the current farming season amid declining international aid.

Gatweil noted that much of southern Unity State remains uninhabitable due to flooding. 

The Unity State Agriculture Minister stressed the need for joint scientific studies and field surveys with the company before any decision is made, emphasizing that the matter was “sovereign” and requires the approval from the South Sudan national Assembly. 

On the other hand, the local residents are strongly opposed to the proposed relocation​ from their native land.

​According to the members of the community, the drilling firms have already caused massive damage in the precinct and that the people there are now suffering from ​air and soil pollution caused by ​the operations of the oil companies.

The mostly peasant residents demanded agricultural support from the government instead of the planned eviction. 

The Unity State of South Sudan remains one of the areas most affected by environmental damage from oil extraction.

There are reports of frequent accusations arising from local communities complaining against the neglected responsibilities by the oil establishments in the precinct, including failing to compensate the affected populations. 

This rejection comes amid nationwide debate about balancing economic development with protecting the rights of communities impacted by oil operations.