Overview:
Members of Peleliu’s Sowei Clan have filed a lawsuit challenging the sale of clan land to the Republic of Palau for a U.S. military defense site, alleging the deal was made without proper clan consent and in violation of Palauan law and custom. The case asks the court to void the land agreement, stop military use of the property, and recognize the clan’s lawful traditional leaders.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Contending members of the Sowei Clan of Peleliu have filed a lawsuit in Palau’s Supreme Court challenging the sale of clan land to the Republic of Palau for use as a U.S. military defense site, claiming the transaction was unauthorized, illegal, and carried out without the consent required under Palauan law and custom.
The complaint, filed in the Trial Division of the Supreme Court, names Donald Haruo, the Republic of Palau (ROP), and John Does 1–10 as defendants. The plaintiffs are the Sowei Clan, along with Renguul Eric Saburo and Rukebai Mayumi Remeliik, who assert they are the duly appointed and confirmed male and female traditional titleholders of the clan.
According to the lawsuit, the dispute centers on a large area of clan land in Teliu, Peleliu—originally identified as Cadastral Lot 077 R 03, measuring approximately 751,528 square meters. The land was later subdivided into four lots, including Lots 077 R 05 and 077 R 06, which are at the heart of the case.
The plaintiffs claim that Sowei Clan is the rightful owner of the land and that, under Palauan custom, any sale of clan land requires the consent of the lawful Renguul, the Rukebai, and all recognized “strong members” of the clan. They allege that no such consent was given.
Alleged unauthorized land sale
The lawsuit alleges that Donald Haruo falsely represented himself as the Renguul of the Sowei Clan and, working with the Republic of Palau, arranged for the subdivision and sale of the land without approval from the true titleholders or clan members.
On September 29 and October 2, 2025, Haruo and the ROP—through Minister Charles Obichang—signed a Land Conveyance Agreement under which Haruo, claiming to act on behalf of the Sowei Clan, purported to sell Lots 077 R 05 and 077 R 06 to the government.
The agreement states that the land would be used as a mixed-use defense site for the U.S. military under the Compact of Free Association. It provides for a one-time payment of $21,389,550 from the ROP to the “Grantor,” identified as the Sowei Clan represented by Haruo. The agreement also granted immediate possession of the land to the government upon signing.
The plaintiffs allege that Haruo knew he was not the lawful Renguul and lacked authority to sell the land. They further claim that the ROP knew or should have known that the land was clan land requiring proper clan consent, and that the government cannot legally hold fee simple title to clan land for U.S. military use under the Constitution and Palau’s land laws.
Land Court objections
After the agreement was notarized, approved as to form by the Attorney General, and recorded at the Land Court, Haruo petitioned the court to issue certificates of title in the name of the Republic of Palau for the two lots.
On October 8, 2025, Senior Judge Rose Mary Skebong issued a public notice stating that Sowei Clan, represented by “Renguul, Donald Haruo,” had requested the certificates and invited objections from clan members.
On November 5, 2025, Sowei Clan—through Saburo and Remeliik—filed formal objections. They asserted that they are the true and lawful traditional titleholders, that the clan never consented to the sale, that Haruo is not the lawful Renguul, and that the Land Conveyance Agreement is illegal and cannot support issuance of certificates of title to the government.
Claims against defendants
The lawsuit includes four main counts.
First, the plaintiffs ask the court to declare that Saburo and Remeliik are the lawful Renguul and Rukebai of the Sowei Clan, and that Haruo is not. They also seek a permanent court order barring Haruo from claiming to act as Renguul or interfering in clan affairs.
Second, the plaintiffs argue that Haruo had no authority to sign the land agreement and that the Republic of Palau had no legal authority to purchase clan land for U.S. military use. They seek a declaration that the agreement is illegal, void, and unenforceable, and an injunction stopping further efforts to secure title in the government’s name.
Third, the lawsuit alleges that the ROP has allowed the U.S. military to enter and occupy the land, including clearing, leveling, and constructing facilities such as a warehouse and heavy-equipment parking area, without the clan’s permission. The plaintiffs are asking the court to order the government to halt the military’s use of the land and remove all equipment and structures.
Finally, the plaintiffs seek damages, alleging that Haruo and the ROP knowingly proceeded with an illegal transaction that led to the unauthorized use and destruction of clan land.
The lawsuit asks the court to void the land sale, stop military use of the property, recognize the clan’s lawful leadership, and award damages and legal costs. The case is now before the Supreme Court’s Trial Division.