Digital transformation solution for community land registers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in South Darfur, Sudan

The Native Administration System still uses paper-based methods for managing land, necessitating technical improvements. This research identifies an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solution for a community land register for IDPs in South Darfur, assessing the Native Administration System's functions and local land resolution mechanisms like Juddiya, as a social institution. This digitally transformed solution is needed for protecting tenure rights for returning IDPs within post conflict situation. Fieldwork, interviews, and literature review guided the research. Based on this the most suitable way forward was the fit for purpose land administration approach (FFPLA). On the other hand, the capacity of tribal leaders and the community were assessed for using the recommended FFPLA tools. The integration of SmartSkeMa, the Field Survey App, and UAVs was found to be the best ICT solution for capturing different customary land rights and conflicts through participatory mapping, high-resolution UAV imagery, and a mobile application for collecting non-spatial information. Thus, capacity buildings for tribal leaders and community members are highly needed before implementing those recommended tools.