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Republic of South Sudan Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in South Sudan. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Global Measles April 26, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Areas of active cholera transmission are  localized  to Upper Nile State (last case reported 9–12 months ago) in South Sudan. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Sudan.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to South Sudan.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to South Sudan take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for South Sudan.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling to  areas of South Sudan  that are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season.

Meningococcal disease - CDC Yellow Book

Meningitis Belt Map

Rabid dogs are commonly found in South Sudan. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in South Sudan, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to South Sudan. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for all arriving travelers ≥9 months old.

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African sleeping sickness (african trypanosomiasis).

• Tsetse fly bite 
• Avoid Bug Bites

African Trypanosomiasis

African Tick-Bite Fever

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• Avoid animals
• Touching infected animals (including bats and primates) or their body fluids
• Touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person
• Touching objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus
• Avoid sick people
• Avoid animals and areas where they live

Ebola virus

• Scratched or bitten by an infected animal such as a rodent or primate
• Touching an infected animal or touching animal products, including skins and meat
• Being near an infected person who is coughing or sneezing
• Touching the body fluids or rash of a person with monkeypox
• Avoid animals and animal products
• Avoid people who are sick

Rift Valley Fever

• Touching blood, body fluids, or tissue of infected livestock

Rift Valley fever

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in South Sudan, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in South Sudan. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in South Sudan include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in South Sudan. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call South Sudan’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in South Sudan. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of South Sudan may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in South Sudan, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for South Sudan for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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South Sudan

Getting help.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in South Sudan

There are no central emergency numbers in South Sudan.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from FCDO.

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers in South Sudan
• dealing with a death in South Sudan
• being arrested or imprisoned in South Sudan
• being a  victim of rape or sexual assault in South Sudan
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

You can also contact FCDO online .

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are in South Sudan and need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya , who provide consular assistance for South Sudan.

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

South Sudan travel advice

Latest updates: Safety and security – updated information on the political situation

Last updated: May 7, 2024 09:42 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, south sudan - avoid all travel.

Avoid all travel to South Sudan, due to armed conflicts, inter-ethnic violence and high levels of violent crime.

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Political situation

The security environment has generally improved since the signing of the peace agreement in 2018 and the formation of a transitional government in 2020. Localized tensions remain following a two-year extension of the transitional period, with elections announced for late 2024.

Security situation

Many security checkpoints have been set up throughout the country, making road travel difficult. Vehicles are regularly stopped and searched and violence has occurred during such encounters. Restrict your movements.

Violent clashes traditionally increase during the dry season, from December to April.

With the deteriorating economic conditions, urban crime rates are rising significantly. Tensions are high and the potential for spontaneous unrest is significant.

Inter-tribal clashes occur without warning throughout the country, and there is frequent fighting between the army and armed militia groups.

Regions bordering Sudan are particularly insecure due to periodic tension between Sudan and South Sudan.

The situation in Juba is relatively calm but remains unpredictable.

Jonglei state

The situation is extremely volatile in Jonglei state, more specifically in Bor and Pibor due to inter-communal fighting.

Anti-government forces control of much of the countryside, while the government retains control within Bor and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

Northern states

Conflict between breakaway armed opposition forces continues in Unity and Upper Nile states. The government currently controls Malakal, but anti-government forces are in control of much of Upper Nile state, west of the Nile River. The government holds most of Unity, including Bentiu.

Occasional tensions between South Sudan and Sudan have led to increased military activity in regions bordering Sudan, and both states have threatened to escalate their activities.

Fighting in the border areas of Blue Nile state and South Kordofan, Sudan, has displaced tens of thousands of people over the border since South Sudan’s secession in 2011. The ongoing conflict in Sudan is likely to increase the number of displaced persons.

Be aware of security threats in the oil development region, especially in and around Paloich, Upper Nile state. Oil installations and the surrounding areas are potential targets for military and rebel attacks.

The Abyei region, which borders South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Unity states and Sudan, is a disputed territory between the two countries. The Abyei region is the site of frequent fighting and mass displacement.

Inter-tribal conflict and cattle rustling are becoming prevalent in Lakes state. Tensions are particularly high in Rumbek East County.

If you remain in the area:

• restrict your movement
• avoid the road connecting Rumbek and Yirol

Southern states

There is increased militia activity in Central Equatoria and some parts of Western Equatoria states, particularly in Mundri.

Travel on the three main roads has become extremely dangerous as armed attacks on these roads are frequent between:

• Juba–Nimule
• Juba–Kajo Keji
• Juba–Yei

The border area between South Sudan and Kenya remains volatile due to clashes between heavily armed youths on both sides of the borders.

There is an increase of attacks by non-state armed groups near the border crossing with Uganda at Nimule, Eastern Equatoria. South Sudanese authorities will close the border crossing for short periods when incidents occur.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and handbag snatching, occurs regularly and mainly in Juba.

During your stay in South Sudan:

• ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and your other travel documents are secure at all times
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery
• avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables

Violent crime

There is widespread violent crime throughout South Sudan. Incidents include:

• kidnappings
• armed robbery
• carjackings
• compound invasions

The current economic crisis has led to a significant increase in the number of crimes involving guns. The economic crisis will likely deepen in the short to medium term.

There are frequent armed invasions of the compounds housing international non-governmental organizations.

Incidences are especially high in Juba, which has seen regular outbreaks of violence and lawlessness and increasing numbers of carjackings.

Crime usually rises in the run-up to Christmas, New Year and Easter seasons. Foreigners have been victims of many crimes, including rape and robbery.

Law enforcement personnel have limited capacity to deter crime.

Kidnappings

Several kidnappings have occurred primarily in the oil producing areas of Unity and Upper Nile states.

Kidnappers mainly target workers in the oil and aid sectors working in remote and contested areas.

If you plan to go to these areas despite the risk:

• exercise caution at all times
• use varied and unpredictable routes and itineraries

Restrictions on movement

Roadblocks are common and are frequently erected after dark.

Increasingly frequent fuel shortages may impede your ability to move freely at short notice and could lead to unexpected shortages of basic foodstuffs.

• Have your identity and vehicle documents readily available
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Take adequate precautions

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Communications

Telecommunications are unreliable.

There are no fixed telephone lines. Mobile devices don't have full functionality.

There is no international postal service.

Road safety

Landmines pose a threat, especially outside of Juba.

Road conditions are extremely poor. Many roads are unpaved and poorly maintained. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required, except in some urban areas such as Juba and Malakal, especially during the rainy season from March to November.

You should only undertake desert travel if you are experienced and fully equipped. Basic equipment should include:

• metal ramps for heavy sand
• a GPS device
• water and food supplies

Unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and roaming animals pose risks.

Public transportation

A few taxis are available in urban centres but are generally old and uncomfortable.

Public transportation is limited outside of major urban areas.

Most other buses are irregularly scheduled, poorly maintained and very badly driven. Fatal accidents involving buses are routine and increasing.

Only use top-of-the-line buses.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the South Sudanese authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave South Sudan.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: required Business visa: required Student visa: required Transit visa: required

Electronic Visa

You must obtain your E-visa online, through the government’s website, prior to your departure to South Sudan

E-Visa portal - South Sudan's Ministry of Interior

Health screening

Due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease in neighboring countries, which has subsided for now, you may be subject to a quick thermal scanner screening and a health questionnaire at Juba International Airport upon disembarkation.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Polio: Advice for travellers - 6 May, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers from all countries.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is recommended.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of their trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites .

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

This destination is in the African Meningitis Belt, an area which has the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the world. Meningococcal disease is a serious and sometimes fatal infection. 

Travellers who are at higher risk should discuss vaccination with a health care provider. High-risk travellers include those living or working with the local population (e.g., health care workers) or those travelling to crowded areas or taking part in large gatherings.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.

Malaria is a risk to travellers to this destination.   Antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers to this destination and should be taken as recommended. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: 

• Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows.
• Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.
• Wear permethrin-treated clothing. 

 If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

Polio (poliomyelitis) is an infectious disease that can be prevented by vaccination. It is caused by poliovirus type 1, 2 or 3. Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus 2 (cVDPV2) is present in this country. Polio is spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water. Infection with the polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)  is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a tsetse fly. Tsetse flies usually bite during the day and the bites are usually painful. If untreated, the disease is eventually fatal. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from bites especially in game parks and rural areas. Avoid wearing bright or dark-coloured clothing as these colours attract tsetse flies. There is no vaccine available for this disease.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country, risk of  dengue  is sporadic. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue fever.

Rift Valley fever is a viral disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can be fatal. It is spread to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, from the bite of an infected mosquito, or eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from insect bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock, and unpasteurized dairy. There is no vaccine available for Rift Valley fever.

Visceral  leishmaniasis   (or kala azar) affects the bone marrow and internal organs. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion or sharing contaminated needles. If left untreated it can cause death. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness)   is an eye and skin disease caused by a parasite spread through the bite of an infected female blackfly.  Onchocerciasis often leads to blindness if left untreated. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from blackfly bites, which are most common close to fast-flowing rivers and streams. There is no vaccine available for onchocerciasis although drug treatments exist.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Mpox (monkeypox)   is a risk in this country. It is a viral disease that can cause serious illness in some circumstances. Risk is generally low for most travellers.

Mpox spreads in 3 ways:

• from animals to humans through direct contact or by eating or preparing undercooked meat of infected animals or coming into contact with an infected animal's body fluids
• from person to person through close contact, including direct contact with the skin lesions, blood, body fluids, or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum) of an infected person
• through direct contact with contaminated objects such as bedding and towels, or by sharing personal objects used by an infected person

Follow recommended public health measures   and avoid contact with animals such as rodents and primates to help prevent getting or spreading the infection.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Sporadic outbreaks of Ebola disease occur in this country.

Ebola disease can be caused by 6 different viruses, including Sudan virus and Ebola virus, which spread through contact with infected bodily fluids (from people or animals). It is very serious and often fatal.

Practise good hygiene (frequent and proper hand washing) and avoid contact with the body fluids of people with Ebola disease or unknown illnesses. Avoid contact with wild animals.

Of the different viruses that cause Ebola disease, there is only a vaccine to prevent disease caused by Ebola virus. It is available under certain circumstances; however, it is not authorized for sale in Canada. There are currently no approved vaccines or effective treatments for Ebola disease caused by the other viruses, including Sudan virus.

Medical services and facilities

Medical facilities are inadequate and supplies of medicine are limited.

You will likely need medical evacuation if you fall seriously ill or are injured. Air ambulances are usually not available on short notice and the airport is closed after dark.

Make sure you get travel insurance for South Sudan that includes coverage for:

• medical evacuation
• repatriation
• hospital stays

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Some prescription medications may not be available in South Sudan.

If you take prescription medications, you’re responsible for determining if they’re legal in the country.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack them in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Death penalty

Photography.

A permit for photography, including on a mobile phone, is required. Permits can be obtained at the Ministry of Information.

Even with a photography permit, it is prohibited to photograph:

• military installations
• military and police personnel
• government buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, dams and airfields
• public utilities including gas stations

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

South Sudanese law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are frowned upon.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers have experienced harassment and verbal abuse.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in South Sudan.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of South Sudan, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and South Sudan.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in South Sudan by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in South Sudan to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Dress and behaviour

South Sudan is a traditional, conservative society. Women should dress conservatively and should avoid:

• mini skirts
• low necklines

The currency is the South Sudan pound (SSP). The Sudanese pound (SDG) is not recognized as legal tender.

Transferring U.S. or Canadian dollars to the country is difficult. Currency exchange houses and merchants do not accept U.S. currency dated before 2006 and will reject notes with any marks.

Credit cards are only accepted in South Sudan in limited locations such as:

• major hotels
• some restaurants
• shopping centers
• supermarkets

There are automated teller machines (ATMs), but they are not reliable, and only dispense South Sudanese pounds. You must pay in cash for larger expenses, such as hotel bills.

There is currently a vast and growing disparity between the official exchange and black-market rates for South Sudanese pounds. It is illegal to exchange currency except in authorized locations, such as banks and exchange bureaus.

• Carry sufficient funds in U.S. dollars to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay
• Expect to pay for all international flights booked in South Sudan in U.S. dollars

South Sudan is prone to extreme weather events such as:

The onset of rainy season in South Sudan is from March to October. Many roads may become impassable during this period due to flooding.

• Monitor local news and weather reports
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Heat waves and drought

Humidity and heat may be severe during both the rainy season and the dry season from November to March. South Sudan is also subject to periods of drought.

Know the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke, which can both be fatal.

Wildfires occur throughout the country. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from the affected area, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Local services

Emergency services exist but may be subject to certain limitations.

In case of emergency, dial 777.

Consular assistance

Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to South Sudan, in Juba, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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South Sudan

Latest update.

We continue to advise:

Do not travel to South Sudan, including Juba, due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict.

South Sudan (PDF 756.63 KB)

Africa (PDF 1.68 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 999 or go to the hospital.

Advice levels

Do not travel  to South Sudan.

Do not travel  to South Sudan, including Juba, due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict. 

• The security situation is volatile and can worsen without warning. Reports of intercommunal violence are common. Border areas are especially dangerous. 
• Terrorist attacks could occur without warning. Public places, hotels, restaurants and government buildings are targets. Airports and transport hubs may also be targets. Be alert in public places. Don't walk alone, especially after dark. Report any suspicious items or activity to the police.
• Kidnapping, murder, shootings, home invasions, armed robbery, carjacking and sexual assault are common throughout South Sudan, including in Juba. Petty crime, such as theft and fraudulent currency exchange, is common. Safeguard your belongings.
• If you decide to remain in South Sudan, be highly vigilant, monitor security developments closely and abide by any imposed curfews.
• If, despite our advice, you travel to South Sudan, get professional security advice.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• The risk of polio in South Sudan is high. Check your vaccinations are up to date at least 8 weeks before you travel. 
• HIV/AIDS is common. Take precautions if you're taking part in high-risk activity. According to the WHO, Monkeypox is endemic in South Sudan.
• Yellow fever is widespread, so get vaccinated before you travel. Malaria is common year-round. Consider taking anti-malarial medication. Other insect-borne diseases include dengue, filariasis and leishmaniasis. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
• Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases include typhoid, cholera and hepatitis. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food. Don't swim in fresh water.
• Medical facilities are basic in Juba and extremely limited elsewhere. If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need medical evacuation. This can cost thousands of US dollars.

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They may include the death penalty.
• The legal systems in South Sudan are basic. Penalties for criminal offences include long jail sentences, corporal punishment and the death penalty. Get professional advice if you're involved in local legal matters, especially regarding family law. 
• Same-sex relationships are illegal. LGBTQIA+ travellers may be harassed by the public or the police.
• It's illegal to take any photos, including on a mobile phone, without a permit from the Ministry of Information.
• The South Sudanese Government recognises dual nationality but considers its dual citizens as South Sudanese first. Government authorities may not inform the Australian Government if you're arrested or detained.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• If, despite our advice, you travel to South Sudan, you'll need to get a visa issued before you travel. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of South Sudan for the latest details.

You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter South Sudan.

• Restrictions and curfews can be implemented at short notice.
• Landmines and unexploded remnants of war are a danger throughout South Sudan. Use only main roads and paths labelled as cleared by a competent de-mining authority.
• Road travel is very dangerous due to poor road conditions and the security environment. If you need to travel by road, seek professional security advice.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.
• Our ability to provide consular services in South Sudan is extremely limited.
• Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in South Sudan. For consular help, contact the  Australian Embassy in Ethiopia .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy’s social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension, armed conflict.

Lack of law and order across the country is a serious threat, the security situation is volatile and could deteriorate with little warning, including in Juba. Thousands of people have been killed in South Sudan since violence began in December 2013. Intercommunal violence and fighting between armed groups continue across the country. Border areas are especially dangerous.

There's a serious risk of attacks on civilians. National or international events could prompt attacks on foreigners. Due to the extremely volatile security environment, South Sudan remains a dangerous operating environment for aid workers. 

With little warning, local authorities can impose:

• other security measures

Juba airport may close or be inaccessible, flights could be suspended and routes in and out of the country may be closed with little notice. The main road connecting Juba to Uganda is highly dangerous.

South Sudan is currently experiencing an influx of people fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan. This may contribute to further instability. 

If you travel to South Sudan, despite our advice, be highly vigilant, monitor security developments closely and abide by any imposed curfews. In addition:

• ensure your travel documents are up to date
• carry copies of your identification with you at all times, including to hand over to immigration or the police, if required
• seek professional security advice
• arrange personal security measures
• keep a low profile
• keep in contact with friends and family

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• avoid demonstrations, protests and other public gatherings
• monitor the media for safety and security risks
• monitor political events that may inflame existing tensions

If civil unrest or conflict happens, shelter indoors and stay off the streets.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Attacks could occur anywhere at any time.

Security at official facilities is high. Terrorists may look for easier targets, such as housing compounds.

Terrorists may target places popular with travellers, including tourist areas, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. Airports, bus stations and other transport hubs are also possible targets.

Other possible targets include:

• foreign government, multinational corporations and international organisations' buildings
• oil installations
• public spaces including schools and marketplaces
• places of worship
• outdoor events

If despite our advice, you are in South Sudan, be alert to possible threats and report any suspicious behaviour or items to police.

Carefully plan your activities and reconsider travelling to places known to be terrorist targets.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• monitor the media for new or emerging threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the affected area immediately if it's safe to do so.

Stay away from affected areas due to the risk of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Violent crime

Violent crime is widespread and can happen at any time of the day. Armed robbery, including ambush and roadside crime, is common.

Murder, shootings, home invasions,  armed robbery , carjacking and  sexual assault  are common throughout South Sudan, including in Juba.

Gun crime happens frequently and may include:

• compound invasions
• attacks on hotels and restaurants
• attacks on other places foreigners go

Petty crime

Petty crime is common and can include:

• pickpocketing
• theft of items from vehicles
• fraudulent currency exchanges

Criminals are often armed and there's been an increase in the number of crimes involving guns.

There's no official government curfew in Juba but this can change at short notice. Most embassies and international organisations have a self-imposed curfew. The time varies depending on local events.

If, despite our advice, you travel to South Sudan:

• always travel with vehicle doors locked and windows up
• be on guard against carjacking
• be alert to threats when stopped in traffic
• secure your accommodation
• always be alert to your surroundings

HIV/AIDS is common. If you're a victim of rape or violent crime, seek immediate medical assistance outside of South Sudan as availability of HIV prophylaxis and psychosocial support may be limited.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas whilst travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. 

Violent crime is widespread in South Sudan and kidnappings are common. Kidnappers mainly target workers in the oil and aid sectors working in remote and contested areas.

If, despite our advice, you travel to an area with a high risk of kidnapping, our ability to provide consular assistance in these destinations will be limited. 

To reduce the risk of kidnapping: 

• always be alert to your personal security and surroundings 
• get professional security advice for travel in locations with a heightened kidnap risk 
• check your accommodation has appropriate security measures 
• avoid isolated locations, particularly when travelling alone 
• notify family or friends of planned travel and share your location 
• avoid talking about your money or business affairs 
• use ATMs in public places and during daylight hours 
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone 

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. Ransom payments to kidnappers have funded further terrorist attacks and criminal activity. Paying a ransom to terrorist groups will likely break Australian counter-terrorism financing laws. 

More information: 

Climate and natural disasters

South Sudan experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• dust storms

If, despite our advice, you travel to South Sudan and a natural disaster occurs:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources
• keep in contact with your friends and family

Severe weather

Flooding often occurs in South Sudan, particularly during the rainy season from July to November.

Floods can lead to shortages of drinking water and food. Transport and communication infrastructure can also be damaged.

You're still at risk of waterborne disease after the floodwaters recede.

Northern areas of South Sudan often experience high temperatures. During the hottest months of the year, the temperature can be higher than 50˚C.

Sandstorms, drought and dust storms can occur.

• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Travel insurance

You'll need a specific insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for South Sudan.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away.

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of someone you know, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in South Sudan. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

The risk of  polio  in South Sudan is high.

Make sure you've completed a primary course of polio vaccination and get a booster dose before you travel.

If you're unsure, check with your doctor at least 8 weeks before you travel.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever  is widespread in South Sudan. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.

Find out about  re-entering Australia  after exposure to yellow fever.

• Yellow fever risk and certification requirements by country (PDF 253KB)

Other insect-borne diseases

Malaria  is common throughout the year across South Sudan.

Other insect-borne diseases occur, including:

• dengue fever
• leishmaniasis
• river blindness (onchocerciasis)
• African sleeping sickness

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Monkeypox  is endemic in South Sudan, according to WHO. Monkeypox is transmitted to humans from animals, usually monkeys, rodents, and squirrels.

In areas where Monkeypox occurs, avoid:

• contact with rodents and primates
• contact with people infected with Monkeypox
• items that may have come in contact with an infected person.
• Infectious diseases

HIV/AIDS  is common. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

If you're a victim of rape or violent crime, seek immediate medical assistance outside of South Sudan.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• tuberculosis
• meningococcal disease
• viral haemorrhagic fever
• Rift Valley virus

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur. Outbreaks of cholera in Juba and other locations have occurred.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid raw or undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical facilities are basic in Juba and extremely limited elsewhere.

Specialised doctors, surgeons and operating facilities are inadequate in Juba and don't exist elsewhere.

You'll need to pay cash up-front before doctors and hospitals will treat you.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to another country with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very difficult to arrange. Air ambulances aren't available at short notice. Juba airport is closed after dark.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa immediately. The Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. 

Penalties for drug offences are severe and may include the death penalty.

• Carrying or using drugs

Legal proceedings can be lengthy and ineffective. Be aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Seek professional advice if you do anything that involves local legal matters. This is especially the case for family law matters, including:

• child custody
• child support

Penalties for criminal offences can include:

• corporal punishment
• long jail term

It is illegal to take any photos without a permit from the Ministry of Information. This includes photos taken with a mobile phone. 

• don’t take pictures of government buildings, airports, vehicles, or persons in uniform
• keep your camera concealed and do not take random photos in public

Same-sex relationships are illegal in South Sudan and may lead to severe punishment, including lengthy jail terms. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is widespread and may lead to harassment by the public and police. LGBTQIA+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to South Sudan. 

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

South Sudan recognises dual nationality but considers its dual citizens as South Sudanese first. 

This limits the  consular services  we can give if you're arrested or detained. You may not be allowed to tell us of your situation.

Officials have previously stopped some dual nationals from leaving South Sudan. 

• Dual nationals

Local customs

Conservative standards of dress and behaviour are expected in South Sudan, especially in rural areas.

Same-sex relationships are illegal and may lead to harassment by the public and police. LGBTQIA+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to South Sudan. Avoid public displays of affection. 

Take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Visa requirements

If, despite our advice, you plan to travel to South Sudan, you need to get a visa issued in advance. You won't be allowed to enter the country without one. To get an Department of e-Visa and Immigration Services.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest South Sudanese embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency and customs.

Border measures

To enter South Sudan you may be required to show a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

The airport at Juba and all land border points can close with little or no warning. Juba Airport is closed after dark.

Check with your security provider for up-to-date information and security assessments on entry points to South Sudan.

Other formalities

Yellow fever vaccination.

Find out about returning to Australia  after exposure to yellow fever .

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 253KB)

Arriving travellers may be screened at Juba International Airport and some land entry points to South Sudan.

Dual Nationals

Border officials may scrutinise the travel documents of dual nationals. This may lead to delays at the airport. Previously, officials have stopped some dual nationals from leaving.

South Sudan requires you to have at least five blank pages in your passport on arrival.

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. You may receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• in Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service
• if you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

• LGBTQIA+ travellers  

The local currency is the South Sudanese Pound (SSP).

South Sudan is a cash-based society.

Credit and debit cards, traveller's cheques and cash cards are generally not accepted. ATMs are scarce and often unreliable.

You'll need to pay cash in local currency or US dollars dated 2017 onwards for all purchases, including hotel bills.

Local travel

Landmines and unexploded remnants of war are a danger throughout South Sudan.

Use only main roads and paths marked as cleared by a competent de-mining authority.

Road travel

Road travel is very dangerous due to poor road conditions and the security environment.

Hazards include:

• poorly maintained vehicles
• poor street lighting
• unsealed and unmaintained roads
• pedestrians and animals wandering on or near roads
• overloaded and unpredictable movement of vehicles

Police presence on roadways outside major towns is limited. Traffic police are poorly trained.

Local drivers regularly ignore traffic signals, and traffic accidents are common.

Road conditions deteriorate during the wet season from July to November.

Highways and other roads may become impassable and some parts of the country can become inaccessible for months.

Roadblocks, official and unofficial armed checkpoints are common throughout South Sudan, including in Juba and especially after dark. Approach all vehicle checkpoints with caution. 

Diplomatic, UN and NGO drivers have been stopped and harassed at checkpoints.

There are regular reports of money being demanded from drivers and passengers at these checkpoints.

If despite our advice, you need to drive in South Sudan:

• check local security and road conditions
• seek local advice on possible routes
• make contingency plans
• Driving or riding

Public transport

Avoid public transport.

Many vehicles are badly maintained. Driving standards can be poor.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  South Sudan's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network. 

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, you should contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Call 999 or 777.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

The security situation and other factors mean the Australian Government's ability to provide consular services in South Sudan is extremely limited.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in South Sudan. For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Australian Embassy, Addis Ababa

Turkish compound (off Cape Verde Street) Bole Subcity, Woreda 3 PO Box 3715 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: +251 11 6672651 / 6672652 / 6672693 / 6672694 Email:  [email protected] Website:  ethiopia.embassy.gov.au Facebook:  @AusEmb.ET Twitter: @AusEmbET

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to South Sudan?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

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Entertainment

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Africa News of Friday, 17 May 2024

Source: theeastafrican.co.ke

South Sudan government, rebel groups sign pact to achieve lasting peace

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South Sudan's Transitional Government of National Unity and opposition groups signed a pact on Thursday to enhance efforts toward lasting peace and stability in the country. By signing the declaration of commitment to the Tumaini Initiative, meaning "hope" in Swahili, the two parties pledged to support efforts to end hostilities and promote inclusive growth in South Sudan. The signing ceremony, held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, opposition groups, civil society and bilateral partners, all witnessing the commitment to the South Sudan peace process. Abraham Korir Sing'oei, Kenya's principal secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, hailed the signing of the new pact to boost the quest for peace, justice, inclusivity and good governance in South Sudan. Sing'oei added that parties to the South Sudan peace process including the government and opposition groups had an obligation to promote justice, governance, economic growth and security sector reforms, to achieve long-term stability in the country. This week, Kenya hosted high-level mediation talks initiated by President William Ruto earlier this month. The talks aim to establish a foundation for lasting peace in South Sudan. In addition, the talks that brought on board government officials and opposition groups as well as civil society members were expected to discuss the modalities of holding general elections slated for December. Albino Mathom, the head of the South Sudan government delegation, said the mediation talks, whose climax was the signing of the declaration of commitment to the South Sudan peace process, reaffirmed the vitality of home-grown initiatives to tackle regional conflicts. Mathom added that given the calamities that civil strife has visited South Sudan in the last four decades, leaders and ordinary citizens were committed to closing that painful chapter and forging a future of hope, peace and justice. Pagan Amum Okiech, the spokesperson for the Real Sudan People's Liberation Movement (R-SPLM), an opposition group, said the signing of the declaration of commitment to the Tumaini Initiative ushered in a new era of durable peace, unity and respect for political pluralism. The South Sudan opposition groups, according to Amum, are committed to rescuing the country from multiple crisis, forge national consensus on designing a future of freedom, prosperity and justice for all citizens. Meantime, Lazarus Sumbeiywo, the chief mediator of the ongoing high-level mediation process for South Sudan in Kenya, expressed faith in the commitment of all parties to ending hostilities that bode ill for stability in the region. In December 2023, South Sudan President Salva Kiir reportedly asked President Ruto to assume the lead in mediating peace talks, taking over from the Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome. Kiir expressed concerns that the talks had lingered without resolution under Sant'Egidio's mediation. The Rome-based community adjourned the peace talks in March 2023 due to disagreements between the parties regarding the agenda.

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South Sudan government and rebel groups sign 'commitment' for peace in ongoing peace talks in Kenya

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South Sudan government and rebel groups sign 'commitment' for peace in ongoing peace talks in Kenya

Kenya south sudan mediation.

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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The government of South Sudan and rebel opposition groups on Thursday signed a “commitment declaration” for peace during high-level mediation talks in Kenya , described as key step in efforts to end the conflict in South Sudan that has long crippled its economy.

The content of the agreement was not made public during the signing ceremony, attended by diplomats and civil society groups.

The rebel opposition groups were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended South Sudan's five-year civil war that left 400,000 people dead and millions displaced.

Kenya’s foreign office said the agreement was a “first milestone” in the ongoing talks in which warring sides pledged their commitment to end the violence and hostilities.

At the start of the high-level mediation talks launched a week ago, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir thanked his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto , for hosting the negotiations.

The talks have been dubbed Tumaini, Swahili for hope, Initiative and are led by former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.

South Sudan is due to hold elections in December but remains politically fragile, in part because the 2018 peace agreement is yet to be fully implemented and because conflict and violence continues in different parts of the country over ethnic and political differences.

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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announces new training to target drug cartel activity on reservations

P IERRE, SD ( KXNET ) — On May 17, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem was in Pierre to warn about gang activity she says is happening on tribal lands in the state.

Something upset tribal leaders have banned the governor from setting foot on the reservations.

Noem has previously said Mexican drug cartels are selling drugs on reservation land in South Dakota and that they use gangs to carry out the activity.

She also said tribal leaders are catering to cartels and neglecting children on the reservations. Noem blames part of the problem on a group called the “Ghost Dancers,” who she says have ties to criminal biker gangs and often use threats or violence against people living and working on the reservation.

“A lot of people have said I should not have named the gang. I did not name the gang. They named themselves.” said Noem. “They wear the patches proudly. It is a matter of fact in investigations; it’s part of their strategy to hide behind this name so people won’t say it. But this is a gang in support of the Bandidos motorcycle club.”

“The tribal council gave themselves a $10,000 raise and some of them do not even live on the reservation,” Secretary David Flute from the SD Department of Tribal Relations said. “She stated that some of the council members are some of the biggest drug dealers on the reservation, and that they personally benefit from the cartel being on the reservation.”

Gov. Noem and South Dakota sheriffs announced a new training program being offered for tribal officers focusing on enforcing drug activity on reservations.

Secretary Flute and Governor Noem say the cartel members can slip through the cracks because of jurisdictional limits and that there aren’t enough federal agents working in South Dakota.

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

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UN experts say South Sudan is close to securing a $13 billion oil-backed loan from a UAE company

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UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. experts say South Sudan is close to securing a $13 billion loan from a company in the United Arab Emirates, despite the oil-rich country’s difficulties in managing debts backed by its oil reserves.

The panel of experts said in a report to the U.N. Security Council that loan documents it has seen indicate the deal with the company, Hamad Bin Khalifa Department of Projects, would be South Sudan’s largest-ever oil-backed loan.

The experts, who monitor an arms embargo against South Sudan, said in the oil section of the report obtained by The Associated Press this week that “servicing this loan would likely tie up most of South Sudan’s revenue (for) many years, depending on oil prices.”

Hamad Bin Khalifa Department of Projects, registered in Dubai, has no listed phone number and its website isn’t working. An email address associated with the company bounced back. The UAE Mission to the United Nations declined to comment, saying Hamad is a private company.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of civil war that cost million of lives, and oil is the backbone of the young nation’s economy.

Soon after independence, South Sudan fought its own civil war from 2013 to 2018 , when rivals President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar signed a power-sharing agreement and formed a coalition government. South Sudan is under pressure from the United States and other nations to more quickly implement the 2018 peace deal that ended the civil war and prepare for elections.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest update, South Sudan produced an average of about 149,000 barrels of liquid fuels per day in 2023. The landlocked country uses Sudan’s pipelines to transfer its oil to Port Sudan for shipment to global markets in an agreement with the Sudanese government, which pockets $23 per barrel as transit fees for the oil exports.

South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters in February that outside factors, including the civil war still raging in Sudan, have hurt South Sudan’s oil exports. He also said oil wells, which were water-logged by heavy floods during the past rainy season, weren’t yet fully operational.

The section on oil in the experts report said documents for the loan from the UAE company, signed between December and February by South Sudan’s minister of finance, indicate the loan is split into tranches.

According to the documents, around 70% of the loan is to be allocated to infrastructure projects, with the first payment in excess of $5 billion, the panel said. Following a three-year grace period, “the loan will be secured against the delivery of crude oil for a period of up to 17 years.”

The panel of experts raised serious questions about South Sudan’s oil-based debts.

South Sudan lost a case in the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes stemming from a $700 million loan it received from Qatar National Bank in 2012.

When the panel wrote its report, the tribunal had not reached a decision on how much the government would have to pay, but The Sudan Tribune reported Sunday that South Sudan has been ordered to pay more than $1 billion.

The panel of experts said it has also confirmed that the government owes $151.97 million to the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank stemming from a previous oil-related deal.

South Sudan was supposed to hold elections before February 2023, but that timetable was pushed back last August to December 2024.

In early April, South Sudan’s president warned lawmakers “not to cling to power just weeks after his former rival turned deputy proposed a further postponement of elections.

The panel of experts said would be “a significant milestone” and warned that the country’s leaders are running short of time “to ensure divergent expectations do not fuel further tensions and strife.”

The experts also noted South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis . in which an estimated 9 million of the country’s 12.5 million people need protection and humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N. The country has also seen an increase in the number of refugees fleeing the war in neighboring Sudan , further complicating humanitarian assistance to those affected by South Sudan’s internal conflict.

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