(WAU) – A quiet revolution is taking place in open air markets and roadside workshops in Western Bahr el Ghazal , where skilled artisans are crafting sandals and flip flops from discarded rubber tyres. This local ingenuity is helping citizens survive as inflation and unpaid salaries leave millions unable to afford basic goods.
Among them is Emmanuel Achuil, a shoemaker working under a tarpaulin in the bustling market of Wau, some 650 kilometres from the capital, Juba. Using a knife and sheer determination, he cuts through thick rubber tires, shaping them into soles, then fastening colourful straps to create affordable and long lasting footwear.
Achuil now sells up to 20 pairs a month, a noticeable increase from the five to seven pairs he sold just two years ago. His sandals, depending on size and finish, go for up to 15,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) — about $3.26 USD at current exchange rates. Their durability and affordability make them a staple for many South Sudanese, especially cattle keepers, market vendors and those living in rural areas.
South Sudan’s financial challenges have deepened since 2023, with oil revenues which make up 90 per cent of the national budget repeatedly disrupted due to regional instability and damage to export pipelines in neighbouring Sudan. In 2025, pipeline repairs temporarily halted crude exports, pushing the economy further into uncertainty.
The national currency, the South Sudanese Pound, has drastically weakened. With $1 USD now equal to 4,600 SSP, imported goods have become unaffordable for many and basic commodities such as food and fuel have skyrocketed in price. Formal employment remains elusive, and even those in government positions, including teachers and soldiers, often go months without receiving salaries.
In this challenging environment, tire sandals have become more than just footwear. They represent resilience.
“Even when things get bad, no food, no jobs, this work doesn’t fail me,” said Achuil. “People always need shoes, especially cheap ones.”
Local cattle keeper Akol Majok Ring from Warrap State shared his appreciation for the sandals, which he began wearing in March. “They are perfect for cattle grazing,” he said. “Durable and well suited for the job.”
Customers like Deng Akol Athuai say the sandals last more than a year, especially on South Sudan’s unpaved roads.
“I buy one pair, and it lasts me a year or more,” he said. “They are strong.”
Achuil, who began shoemaking in 1996 by observing others in workshops as a child, has no formal training. Over time, his skills have improved, but the growing number of competitors now means fewer discarded tires to work with. He notes that access to tools and materials remains a challenge.
He dreams of setting up a proper workshop where he could train young people, many of whom are unemployed or idle in towns like Wau.
“If I had better cutting tools, and a way to expand, I could train young people,” he said. “This skill could help them survive.”
Gabriel Bataku, a 26 year old unemployed man in Wau, agreed.
“These artisans are solving real problems,” he said. “They just need recognition and support.”
South Sudan continues to face one of the world’s most difficult economic situations, with nearly 80 per cent of its 11 million citizens affected by food insecurity, according to the World Bank. But despite this, local craftspeople like Achuil are finding ways to turn discarded waste into practical products and in doing so, offer hope, income and inspiration during hard times.
