The transportation system in South Sudan includes four routes:
Roads, Railways, Rivers, and Air.
However, road transport dominates in South Sudan.
South Sudan’s primary sea connection is through:
While Port Sudan and Djibouti ports also play a role.
The Ministry of Transport and Road was responsible for transport services and infrastructure in South Sudan.
The MTR was divided into six directorates:
Directorate of Roads and Bridges (DRB);
Directorate of Road Transport and Safety;
Transportation in railways;
River Transport;
Air Transport and;
Administration and Finance.
How to get around in South Sudan
There are several modes of transportation in South Sudan.
Air
The most convenient method to cross South Sudan is on one of the several domestic airlines, but be aware that some are prohibited in the European Union (EU), such as Kush Air and South Supreme Airlines.
See South Sudan Airlines below:
Air transport infrastructure
There are over 300 airstrips spread throughout the country in addition to the international airport in Juba and the domestic airports in the capitals of the other nine states. During the civil unrest, several airstrips sprang up to serve as locations for military supplies. And eventually became distribution centers for aid sent in by NGOs and international organizations.
The only cities with staffed airports are Juba, Malakal, and Rumbek. International planes sometimes stop at Malakal and Wau. Only Juba and Malakal have paved runways; their lengths are 2,400 and 2,000 meters. The condition of the concrete runways is around average. The current airport infrastructure could be more reliable and better maintained.
Road
The road transportation system is the responsibility of the federal, state, and local governments.
The government of Sudan is working better to link up its road system with its neighbors. For example, there is a road that leads to the Central African Republic and the Western Salvation Road that connects to Chad.
Road quality
Outside of Juba, there are only a few asphalted roads. Outside of cities, the roads are in disrepair, northern highways often shut during the rainy season (July to September), and there are no streetlights.
Long trips in these circumstances call for a comprehensive set of spare parts. All automobiles must be in satisfactory operating condition.
Rent a Car
You can rent a car only in Juba.
Taxi
Plenty of taxis and motorcycle taxis are available in Juba’s urban areas. Unfortunately, motorists don’t always put road safety first. Taxis do not have meters and instead need prearranged payment.
Some of the taxi agencies that you can book online in South Sudan are:
DM City Cabs
Use Railways
All South Sudanese railway stations are on the 1959–1962 Babonasa-Wau line. The railway was destroyed and mined during the Second Sudanese Civil War. It was repaired in 2010 with $250 million from the UN.
River transport infrastructure.
You may also go around Sudan by taking a ride on the Nile. And its significance in transporting goods and services is projected to grow. The Nile River, which runs through the middle of Sudan from south to north, has been a godsend for travel. Although traffic has been constrained for several years owing to physical barriers due to the aftermath of several wars.
The southern regions of Sudan will soon have regular commercial transport services again. Juba The River Transport Corporation (RTC) was recently privatized to improve the effectiveness of the transportation network.
How to get from Juba to Malakal
There are four ways to go from Juba to Malakal by car or plane.
Juba to Malakal is 2069.1 km, and if you go there by car, you must spend 37h 22 min.
Another way to get to Malakal is by plane.
From the airport of Jube to Asosa, you need four h 15 min, and then you have to travel by car to Malakal for ten h
From Jube airport to Gambela, it takes 15h 50 min, and then you need to drive to Malakal for 16h 43 min.
If you want to go from Juba to Wau Airport, you only need a 1-hour flight, while part of the trip is by car, which takes 27 hours.
Check out the map.
The Transportation system in South Sudan is the subject of this article.
Source: Wikipedia, World Travel Guide
The caption of the cover image above is in Sudan—a photo by Yas S en on Unsplash.
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