Juba–Bor Highway

Juba–Bor Highway
Route information
Length202 km (126 mi)
Location
CountrySouth Sudan
Highway system

The Juba–Bor Highway is a 202-kilometre dual-carriageway road in South Sudan connecting Juba, the country's capital and largest city, to Bor, capital of Jonglei State to the north.

History

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The route between Juba and Bor, one of the main arteries in South Sudan, used to be a dirt road that became "almost impassable" to traffic after heavy rain.[1] It was the location of fighting during the South Sudanese Civil War.[2]

In 2014, South Korean engineers with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) repaired the road.[3][4]

The Juba–Bor road was subsequently reconstructed and paved along mostly the same alignment as the old one. The present, 202-km tarmac road was constructed by Africa Resources Corporation (ARC), a local company, and inaugurated in January 2023.[5]

Security

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Many violent ambushes have occurred along the road. In May 2017, some 40 people were killed in a single ambush. That year, UNMISS peacekeepers began patrolling the highway to improve security.[6]

An attack on cattle traders in November 2024 left 22 people dead.[7] A spate of ambushes in 2025 prompted the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) to deploy troops to the highway.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "South Sudan's Juba-Bor Road Almost Impassable". Voice of America. 7 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Clashes along Juba-Bor road in South Sudan". Radio Tamazuj. 3 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Juba-Bor road upgrade expected to improve security". Sudan Tribune. 9 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Korea engineers repair "boggy" Bor-Juba road". United Nations Mission in South Sudan. 13 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Feature: Newly completed Juba-Bor Highway opens up opportunities, hope for Jonglei". Radio Tamazuj. 15 May 2023.
  6. ^ "UNMISS patrol improves security for travelers on Juba-Bor road". United Nations Mission in South Sudan. 8 September 2017.
  7. ^ Okuj, Obaj (8 November 2024). "Juba-Bor road reopens for travelers after deadly attack". Eye Radio.
  8. ^ "SSPDF to deploy troops after Juba-Bor road attacks spike". Radio Ramazuj. 9 October 2025.