South Sudan

The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. The capital city is Juba. South Sudan’s independence came after many years of civil war between forces in the south and the Government of Sudan. Despite the signing of numerous agreements in September 2012 regarding oil transport, border security, economic and financial matters, a safe demilitarized border zone, and the final status of disputed areas, the relationship between the two countries remains fragile.

South Sudan is one of the world’s least developed countries. Its economy relies largely on revenues from oil exports and trade with its neighbor, Sudan. Since December 2013, oil production has declined as a result of conflict in and around the oil producing region. 

U.S. Embassy Juba evacuated essential staff in December 2013 as a result of armed conflict between government and opposition forces which broke out in Juba and spread rapidly to the rest of the country.  While many staff members have since returned, the Embassy is still operating with limited staff.  Military operations between rebel and government forces continue to take place in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile States. Inter-ethnic violence – including revenge killings and cattle raids – continues in Lakes and Warrap States.  Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile State have all been placed under a State of Emergency.  Approximately 1.4 million people have been displaced throughout the country, with nearly 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living on United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites. 

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) operates under a UN Chapter VII mandate and is primarily focused on protection of civilians.  As of August 31, UNMISS consisted of approximately 11,405 uniformed personnel, 844 international civilian staff, 1,364 local civilian staff, and 394 UN Volunteers. Numerous UN agencies and non-governmental organizations provide humanitarian and development assistance. South Sudan also has a relatively large diplomatic corps, although numbers have diminished since the conflict began in December 2013.

Electricity, telephone and telecommunications, roads, and other forms of infrastructure are unreliable or sparse in many areas. Civilian institutions, including the criminal justice system, are rudimentary and not presently functioning at a level consistent with international standards. There are no government services available in many parts of the country. South Sudan operates as a cash economy, and tourist facilities are limited throughout the country. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on South Sudan for additional information on U.S. – South Sudan relations.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in South Sudan, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The following information is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road conditions throughout South Sudan are hazardous due to erratic driver behavior, pedestrians and animals in the roadways, and vehicles that are overloaded or lack basic safety equipment. There are very few paved roads in South Sudan; most roads are narrow, rutted, and poorly maintained. Local drivers often do not observe conventions for the right-of-way, stop on the road without warning, and frequently exceed safe speeds for road, traffic, and weather conditions. Driving at night can be dangerous because of the lack of street lights throughout the country.

Roads in South Sudan are often impassable during the rainy season, from March or April to October or November. Take spare tires, parts, and fuel with you when traveling in remote areas, as service stations are separated by long distances.

U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling, including traffic laws. In South Sudan, vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side and drivers use the right side of the road.

Many local drivers carry no insurance despite the legal requirement that all motor vehicle operators purchase third-party liability insurance from the government. Persons involved in an accident resulting in death or injury must report the incident to the nearest police station or police officer as soon as possible. Persons found at fault can expect fines, revocation of driving privileges, and jail sentences, depending on the nature and extent of the accident. Persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol face fines, jail sentences, and corporal punishment.

There are no restrictions on vehicle types, including motorcycles and motorized tricycles.

Public transportation is by small buses, vans, or taxis, and is limited to within and between major towns. Many drivers of these vehicles have little training and are reckless, and the vehicles are often poorly maintained. Passenger facilities are basic and crowded. Schedules are unpublished and subject to change without notice. Travelers are encouraged to hire cars and drivers from reputable sources with qualified drivers and safe vehicles. While there is some public transit to rural communities by irregularly scheduled mini-buses, many areas lack any public transportation.

You should be extremely careful in crossing roads in South Sudan. Crosswalks do not exist, and incidents of cars striking pedestrians are common.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. 

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in South Sudan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

The Juba International Airport will be closed for construction every weekend from 00:00 Saturday through 23:59 Sunday from August 22, 2015 through at least April 2016. There will be no flights in or out of Juba on weekends during this period. Emergency departures by air from Juba on weekends for medical or other reasons are not possible. The U.S. Embassy has no ability to fund or provide logistical assistance for U.S. citizens who need to leave Juba for any reason during the closure of the airport.

On December 15, 2013, violence erupted in Juba within the Presidential Guard Force of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). During the days and weeks that followed, elements of government security forces conducted targeted ethnic killings and attacks across the city. These events led to armed conflict between government forces and rebel forces in several states across the country and triggered ethnic violence that targeted civilians. This conflict is ongoing in several parts of the country, including Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile States. The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to South Sudan.

Extreme care should be exercised in all parts of the country, and particularly in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity where armed clashes continue.  Care should also be exercised along the disputed border areas between South Sudan and Sudan and also along the border between South Sudan and Uganda where clashes in September led to the displacement of several thousand people.  Clashes between ethnic groups are common country-wide. The “Lord’s Resistance Army” – a Ugandan rebel group – has operated along South Sudan’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Government of South Sudan has limited capacity to deter crime or provide security to travelers, especially outside the capital city of Juba.

The U.S. Embassy in Juba has implemented measures to protect U.S. government personnel living and working in South Sudan. These include requiring U.S. government personnel to travel in armored government vehicles, and to obtain advance permission for travel outside of Juba. Currently, family members of U.S. government personnel are not permitted to reside in South Sudan. Similar measures are followed by UNMISS, many other embassies, and many non-governmental organizations with operations in South Sudan.

Land mines remain a hazard in South Sudan, especially outside of Juba. Visitors should travel only on main roads, unless a competent de-mining authority has marked an area as clear of mines. 

The Embassy’s ability to provide consular services outside of Juba, including emergency assistance, is severely limited. Many areas of South Sudan are extremely difficult to access, and travel in these areas is sometimes hazardous. The conflict which began in December 2013 has led to extreme insecurity in several areas in the country. Less than 300 kilometers of paved roads exist in the country, which is the size of France. The infrastructure is extremely poor, and medical care is not always available or is very basic. 

 To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook .
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Travel Warning for South Sudan, as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Juba on Twitter and visit the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and check some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: High unemployment and continuous severe economic downturn have encouraged criminal activity. Following an increase in security-related incidents in Juba and the current insecurity due to the ongoing civil conflict, the U.S. Embassy has imposed a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to better ensure the safety of its personnel. U.S. Embassy personnel are also only allowed to travel throughout the city in armored vehicles and are not allowed to utilize public transportation. You should try to avoid crowded public areas and public gatherings, and avoid traveling alone if possible. Report all incidents of crime to the South Sudanese police and the U.S. Embassy.

Carjackings and banditry occur in South Sudan.  Travel outside of Juba is not advised but if necessary, should be undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency. 

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be breaking local law. 

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Embassy currently can offer only very limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in South Sudan. Due to the draw down in personnel in Juba, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi [Tel.: 254 (20) 363 6451 or 254 (20) 363 6170, e-mail: Kenya_acs@state.gov] is available to assist U.S. citizens in South Sudan; in an emergency, contact the U.S. Embassy in Juba (Daytime phone: +(211) 912-105-188; After Hours: +(211) 912-105-107). We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we can contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.