South Sudan

Avoid Travel

The Republic of South Sudan is located in Africa and shares borders with Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population is about 11 million people. The Government of South Sudan is a republic with a president as both chief of state and head of government. South Sudan came into being after declaring independence in a referendum in January 2011, when about 99 percent of the population voted to secede from Sudan.

This region has been involved in conflict for many years, which has caused millions of people to be killed or displaced. The fact that South Sudan stands to benefit from most of Sudan’s oil wealth has led to ongoing disputes with Sudan and internal disagreements that have greatly affected the economy. In December 2013, a crisis occurred as a result of a power struggle between the president and his deputy. Fighting broke out and within weeks, thousands were killed and more than 800,000 displaced. The economy depends heavily on oil revenue, and the economy is affected negatively by the conflict which disrupts oil production.

Despite oil revenues, South Sudan remains one of Africa’s least developed and poorest countries. At the time of writing, there is virtually no tourist infrastructure. However, the potential for the tourist industry exists with the extensive wildlife, along with grasslands, forests and lakes.

Currency	SSP: South Sudanese pound
Language	English; Recognized national languages are Bari, Dinka, Murle, Nuer, Zande
Capital	Juba
Recent Alerts	1
Latest Alert	June 11, 2021 - COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in South Sudan (11 June Update)

Diseases To Be Aware Of

The diseases listed below are those which occur most often in South Sudan. Other, less frequently encountered diseases might be displayed within the Travel Alerts section if they have occurred recently.

Hepatitis A There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in South Sudan through contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in South Sudan.
Typhoid Fever Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in South Sudan, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Rabies Rabies occurs in the South Sudan. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Yellow Fever There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of this country.
Meningitis Meningitis outbreaks may occur in South Sudan. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.
Cholera Cholera outbreaks occur in South Sudan. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.
Dengue Fever Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.
Chikungunya Fever Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.
Tuberculosis Tuberculosis occurs in South Sudan. Travellers to South Sudan are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Malaria There is a high risk of malaria in South Sudan.
Sleeping Sickness (Type 1) There is an increased risk for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors or visiting game parks. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Vaccinations to Consider

The following is a list of recommended vaccinations for travelling to South Sudan.

Hepatitis A Vaccine There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.
Rabies Vaccine Pre-travel vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) and who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Persons with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Yellow Fever Vaccine There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of this country. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers 9 months of age and older.
Meningitis Vaccine Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).
Cholera Vaccine The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Medications to Consider

The following is a list of recommended medications for travelling to South Sudan.

Anti-malarial Drugs Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine is widespread.

Safety and Security in South Sudan

Emergency Numbers

South Sudan does not have an emergency number for the general public. There is no ambulance service and medical care is limited. The country has limited capacity to deal with crime or provide support and security to travellers, particularly outside the capital, Juba.

Unity Resources Group (URG) can provide basic medical care and can help coordinate medical evacuations from South Sudan. URG has ambulance services. The telephone numbers are: +211-955-335-611, +211-955-336-622, +211-955-054-856.

Personal Safety

Petty crime is common in this country in the urban areas, and banditry occurs in rural areas. There is a risk of violent crime in South Sudan, including carjacking, armed robbery, kidnapping and assault. It is recommended that groups travel with a minimum of two vehicles for backup.

Exercise extreme care for personal safety and security in all part of this country. Many countries warn citizens to avoid all travel to South Sudan due to criminal activity, political unrest and armed conflict. Some countries impose a curfew on their embassy staff for safety considerations and require staff to travel about the city only in armoured vehicles. Your country’s embassy may be limited in the support services it can provide to you.

Land mines are a risk in South Sudan, including in and around the capital, Juba. Stay on main roads. If an area has been marked free of land mines, make sure a competent de-mining company has done the work.

Road travel is dangerous in South Sudan due to attacks, lack of infrastructure, and poor road condition. Roads may be impassable during rainy season. In dry season, there is an increased risk of attack and robbery. Vehicles may be in poor condition, including public transportation vehicles. Drivers may not follow rules of the road.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid border areas with Sudan. Tensions exist due to disputes over territory and borders with the risk of direct military conflict between Sudan and South Sudan. There is risk of civil unrest and inter-ethnic violence.

There is a serious risk of attacks and large-scale military confrontations in the areas of Upper Nile, Unity, Northern Warrap, and Jonglei. Oil installations and surrounding areas are potential targets for attacks.

Also in the Jonglei state, an ongoing cattle-raiding dispute between rival ethnic groups has left hundreds of people dead and some 100,000 displaced since 2011.

Avoid border areas with Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR). The areas are very dangerous and volatile, and armed groups are active in these areas.

In the past, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was active in the western regions of South Sudan, especially in the Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Western Bahr El Ghazal states. Many people were killed or abducted, and thousands have been displaced as a result of conflict.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime is widespread.

Political Unrest

There is a risk of violent political unrest and armed conflict in South Sudan. Avoid areas around all protests, demonstrations or rallies. There is a risk of foreigners being targeted in retaliation for other international occurrences.

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Sitata uses advanced software algorithms to monitor the world for disease outbreaks and safety hazards. Each travel alert published by Sitata is reviewed by staff to ensure it meets the concerns of a traveller.

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Updated: June 11, 2021