Sharp increase in fuel costs has triggered a transportation crisis across Juba, with bus drivers, boda-boda riders, and rickshaw operators warning that their businesses are becoming increasingly unsustainable

By Emmanuel Mandella

Fuel prices in Juba have surged to record levels, crossing 10,000 South Sudanese Pounds per liter, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global oil markets and strain the fragile economy of South Sudan.

The sharp increase in fuel costs has triggered a transportation crisis across the capital, with bus drivers, boda-boda riders, and rickshaw operators warning that their businesses are becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Several petrol stations in the city have increased prices as others remained closed temporarily due to supply shortages, with queues witnessed at a handful stations.

Sector under pressure

Transport operators say the fuel price spike has significantly raised operational costs, forcing some drivers to reduce their services while others are considering suspending operations altogether.

Speaking to the media, the head of the Drivers Association at Custom area, said the crisis is largely connected to global tensions affecting fuel supply chains.

“There are reasons linked to the Iran war and other global issues. When things do not come as expected, it creates problems everywhere,” he said. “We hope the government and other stakeholders will work more seriously to address the situation while citizens also remain patient.”

James stated that the transport sector, which many urban residents depend on for daily movement, is one of the hardest hit by the rising fuel prices.

Small transport operators struggling

The impact is also being felt among small-scale transport operators such as boda-boda and rickshaw drivers who rely heavily on daily fuel purchases to sustain their businesses.

Many say the price increases are making it harder to earn a living, while passengers are also struggling to cope with higher transport fares.

One driver explained that before the price surge, a short-distance trip cost less than 10000 South Sudanese Pounds, but the rising fuel cost has forced operators to charge higher fares for even shorter journeys.

“When the price of fuel keeps increasing, life becomes even more difficult than it already is,” the driver said. “Living conditions are already very hard for many families.”

He added that some commuters have shifted to using motorcycles for shorter distances due to the growing scarcity of fuel for larger vehicles.

Government responds to supply shortage

Authorities say they are taking steps to address the crisis and stabilize the supply of fuel and other commodities entering the country.

According to Solomon Ariik, Deputy Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, government officials recently visited the border town of Nimule to assess the movement of fuel trucks entering the country.

“Today, we went around and saw that there are fewer trucks stuck on the streets of Nimule and in the parking areas we visited,” Ariik said. “This is what we came for, and we managed to accomplish something that is suitable.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Nimule Municipal, Ceaser Longa Fuli, confirmed that congestion at the border town had eased after authorities cleared truck backlogs.

“Today there are no traffic jams. The trucks have been cleared, and Nimule is now decongested with trucks moving towards Juba,” Fuli said.

Global and regional factors

Analysts say the fuel crisis facing South Sudan is being driven by both global and regional developments.

At the international level, crude oil prices have reportedly reached around $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, largely due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

At the same time, South Sudan’s economy has been further strained by disruptions linked to the conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has affected the pipeline used to export the country’s crude oil.

Officials say the disruption has reduced the country’s oil revenues by nearly 90 percent, significantly weakening the government’s ability to manage economic shocks.

Calls for urgent action

Residents and transport operators are now urging the government to take urgent measures to stabilize fuel prices and ensure steady fuel supply in the country.

They warn that if the crisis continues, it could further increase the cost of transportation, food, and other essential commodities, placing additional pressure on households already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Despite the challenges, many citizens remain hopeful that ongoing government efforts to clear fuel trucks at the border and stabilize supply chains will eventually ease the pressure on the market.

However, for now, the fuel crisis continues to ripple through South Sudan’s economy, affecting businesses, transport services, and the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

Global heat

Meanwhile, energy markets across the globe have already reacted sharply to the conflict. On Monday, the price of US crude climbed above USD 119 per barrel, marking the highest level since June 2022.

To make matters worse, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the international community should prepare for the possibility of crude reaching USD 200 per barrel.

Addressing the United States and Israel, he argued that instability in the region is directly linked to the security situation they have helped create.

Zolfaghari also signaled that Iran may intensify its military response, moving from limited retaliatory strikes to sustained attacks against its adversaries. He warned that Washington would not be able to control the consequences for global energy markets.

Oil markets have continued to fluctuate sharply. Reuters reported that prices moved on Tuesday following news that the International Energy Agency is considering the largest release of strategic oil reserves in its history.

Utilities

“When the price of fuel keeps increasing, life becomes even more difficult than it already is. Living conditions are already very hard for many families,” aid one of the drivers in Juba.