Reality Brief: Juba

Current alerts

• Whole country

  Whole country strongly advised against except Juba, Wau, Yambio and Aweil, advised against except for essential travel.

  Published on September 18, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, latest news and alerts, France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safety

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• France strongly advises against the whole country except Juba, Wau, Yambio and Aweil, which are advised against except for essential travel and should only be reached by air (update of 12 March 2026). Road travel is strongly advised against. The UK advises against all travel to South Sudan.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), South Sudan travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Internal conflict since 2013, fragile stabilisation, local violence over cattle and resources; heightened tension in the north-east. Gunfire and looting hit Juba in January 2025. The state cannot ensure security or essential services everywhere.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, latest news and alertsGOV.UK (FCDO), South Sudan travel advice: safety and securityGuide: Safety and emergencies

• On site: travel only by car (no two-wheelers or walking), never at night; obey checkpoints without resistance or flight; keep at least a week of food, medicine and self-sufficiency; stay away from gatherings.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, latest news and alertsFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• A visa is required before departure: issue at Juba airport is unreliable and airlines may refuse boarding. South Sudan's embassies in Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Kampala issue visas within 24 hours.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence

• Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory; carry the certificate.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), South Sudan travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• There is no central emergency number. French embassy in Juba, 24 hours: +211 927 690 000.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), South Sudan travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyGuide: Health

Living in Juba

• France strongly advises against the whole country except Juba, Wau, Yambio and Aweil, which are advised against except for essential travel and should only be reached by air (update of 12 March 2026). Road travel is strongly advised against. The UK advises against all travel to South Sudan.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), South Sudan travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies

• On site: travel only by car (no two-wheelers or walking), never at night; obey checkpoints without resistance or flight; keep at least a week of food, medicine and self-sufficiency; stay away from gatherings.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, latest news and alertsFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• There is no central emergency number. French embassy in Juba, 24 hours: +211 927 690 000.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), South Sudan travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safetyGuide: Health

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (18), clinics (207), hospitals (40). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (10), supermarkets (19). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (19), cash machines (2). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (1). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (154). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Embassy of France in South Sudan

  Passport: France

  French embassy in Juba, reachable 24 hours; limited assistance capacity.

  Campus de l'UE, Kololo Road, Thomping, Djouba+211 927 690 000

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: South Sudan, safety· Oct 2, 2026