South Sudan-Ethiopia highway project faces challenges

By Benjamin Takpiny

 The Minister for Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services Michael Makuei Lueth revealed last week that the implementation of the road project linking South Sudan and Ethiopia is facing challenges.

Makuei said the implementation of the Paloch-Mathiang- Maiwut-Pagak Road, which connects South Sudan with Ethiopia faces some challenges on the Ethiopian side, adding that their team has been directed to follow-up with Ethiopian authorities.

“The Minister of Roads and Bridges clarified to the cabinet that they are meeting some difficulties especially on the other side (Ethiopia) because this is a contract based on an agreement between us and the Ethiopian government and as such up to now our partner has not done anything so far, so he is urging us to follow up with the Ethiopian counterpart so that the construction of this road can start,” he  said.

Makuei said that the road when completed will resolve many problems including transportation of crude oil and the importation of goods from Djibouti Port, which is a shorter route to South Sudan than the Port of Mombasa.

Last year, the governments of Ethiopia and South Sudan signed an agreement to build a highway linking the two countries.