Arop Jonchol
Report: UNMISS Upper Nile
Al-Wadi_Newspaper
The road connecting the cities of Malakal and Malut in the Upper Nile state of South Sudan was recently reopened after being fully rehabilitated, marking a significant developmental achievement that positively impacts the lives of local residents and brings hope to communities that have long suffered from isolation, despite ongoing security challenges in the area.
The newly renovated road, which stretches for 91 kilometers, has reduced the travel time between the two areas from six hours to just one and a half hours. is a transformative shift in transportation, trade, and services amidst complex security and climatic conditions.
This vital corridor is not only an economic asset but also facilitates access to humanitarian and medical services, enhances social communication between villages and surrounding areas, and serves as a primary route for United Nations missions and their partners to reach communities in need.
The project was carried out by Indian military engineers under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), in collaboration with local authorities and communities in Malakal, Akoka, and Malut.
In a statement, Alfred Oruno Oruno, head of the UNMISS office in Malakal, said, “Thanks to our strong partnership with local communities and official bodies, we have succeeded in reconnecting displaced families with their surroundings, enhancing stability, and supporting livelihoods.”
Sami, an Ethiopian truck driver, shared how the project has positively impacted his business, saying, “Our work in transporting gravel and sand from the northern part of the state to Malakal has become more profitable, with the travel time reduced from five days to just 24 hours, also decreasing fuel consumption.”
Local residents in the Faluoc area have welcomed the new road, expecting it to stimulate economic activity and provide opportunities for improved livelihoods, particularly during this time of severe economic crisis in the country.
Akwei Oyuol Duk, a local resident, expressed his joy, saying, “I can now transport sorghum on my motorcycle and return to my village near Malut in less than an hour and a half. This road is not just a means of transport; it is a true.
