(IBBA COUNTY, SOUTH SUDAN) – A United Nations Mission in South Sudan patrol has reached remote communities in Ibba County, Western Equatoria State, after travelling day and night on a difficult journey along a hundred kilometre road connecting Yambio to Ibba County.
Heavy rains and insecurity have left communities in Ibba County even more isolated than before, the mission reported in October 2026.
Large sections of the road are badly damaged, with deep potholes, mud and flooding forcing vehicles to regularly slow down to almost walking pace.
Recent attacks, vehicle ambushes and abductions increased the risks to the convoy.
“If you want to go to Maridi to buy goods for retail, it takes many hours. The road is bad and vehicles are being burned on the road. We also heard reports of armed men, and this increases fear because civilians from there have fled and are now staying with us,” said Ibba County women leader Monica Elia.
“This is big challenge, bumps, insecurity, and rain,” said businesswoman Reida Ali Ahmed. “Reaching Maridi was difficult. Big trucks break down and sometimes block the road.”
The Juba to Mundri to Yambio highway is one of Western Equatoria’s main supply routes. In the past, goods were also imported from Wau and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Today, insecurity as well as concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reduced these cross border movements. For traders who depend on the road to move food and other essential commodities, those delays come at a high cost.
“The situation along the road is affecting us greatly because it is our lifeline,” said Ibba County Chief John Aurupai Anash. “In May, some of our sons travelled to Juba to buy goods. On their way back, they were abducted, and, to date, they have not been found.”
“Vehicles have been burned and our people have been killed. This is making life very difficult for us. Even for someone to travel and buy basic items such as salt for the community is becoming difficult, and prices are increasing.”
“On health, we are also concerned because we share a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he added.
UNMISS reported on its national portal that the patrol provided an opportunity to project a physical peacekeeping presence along the main supply route and to engage directly with the community about security, economic and humanitarian concerns in this remote area.
“We discussed many issues with the communities, local authorities, and community leaders, including road insecurity and poor conditions as well as the Ebola threat,” said United Nations Mission in South Sudan Military Observer Senyo Kofi Dzamefe. “After gathering information and hearing the concerns raised, we will pass them on to the relevant authorities to see how we can best protect civilians.”
To residents of Ibba, concern has grown beyond road conditions or individual security incidents.
It is now about a dangerous mix of issues that do not only affect freedom of movement but also threaten their survival.
According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the patrol was led by Okot Emmanuel.
Discover more from Access Radio®
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
