ABSTRACT
The six-year interim period following the end of the civil war in South Sudan was a time of change for definitions of landownership in the country. Upon assuming control of the region in 2005, the government of Southern Sudan reaffirmed its commitment to establish a system whereby communities, defined mainly in terms of ethnic affiliation, would own and administer land in their home areas. One of the goals of economic reform in South Sudan concerns the transition from the abusive and conflict-prone wartime economy of the past to a more sustainable, development-oriented economy conducive to lasting peace. During the civil war, Sudan’s economy was geared towards fuelling and sustaining systems of violence. There was a large influx of foreign investment in South Sudan following the signing of the CPA in 2005. The first business sectors to start generating profits were telecommunications and construction. As the interim period progressed, additional investment began to materialise in the hotel and banking sectors.
