(RAJA COUNTY) – Communities in Raja County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, are facing a worsening humanitarian and economic crisis as a combination of regional conflict, damaged roads and poor infrastructure continue to isolate the area from the rest of South Sudan. The situation has raised alarm among local leaders and international observers, including the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which is now actively supporting struggling communities.
Last week, a UNMISS patrol team, including military and civilian peacekeepers, travelled from Wau to Deim Zubeir in north-western South Sudan to assess the situation on the ground. The 300 kilometre journey took a full day to complete due to the poor condition of the roads. In some sections, vehicles were forced to cross large potholes filled with stagnant floodwater one at a time. The delays were compounded by health risks, including malaria, which infected several peacekeepers who required emergency air evacuation from the area.
The region is facing multiple challenges, including an influx of refugees and returnees fleeing the conflict in Sudan, as well as severe food shortages and limited access to healthcare, clean water and education. Local authorities say the road linking Raja to Wau and onwards to Juba is now virtually impassable, cutting off communities from trade and essential services.
“The road from Raja to Wau and onto the capital Juba is a lifeline for our communities,” said County Commissioner Addison Arkangelo Musa. “The conditions are very bad, and there is a serious risk that we could be completely cut off during the rainy season.”
Commissioner Musa added that the deteriorating roads are also driving up the cost of living in the area. Traders are raising prices to cover high transportation expenses, a trend that is affecting household economies and market stability across Raja.
“We are doing our best to carry out repairs, even mobilising young people to carry stones and bricks, but we urgently need support from the state and national governments. We need technical equipment, machinery and construction materials like cement,” the commissioner said.
Economic pressure is also being felt at the Dulu cantonment site, where soldiers awaiting integration into the National Unified Forces are facing a lack of food, medicine and other essential supplies. Major General Musa Dakumi, who leads the troops at the site, said the situation is difficult but emphasised their commitment to peace.
“We have reported the situation to Juba and are waiting for support. For the sake of peace, we are remaining patient,” he said.
To help address some of the economic strain, peacekeepers from Bangladesh serving with UNMISS donated vegetable seeds to vulnerable families in Raja. The gesture aims to promote local farming and boost food security in the long term. Among the recipients was Khadija Matar Zubeir, a 52 year old mother of eight who recently returned from Sudan after fleeing during South Sudan’s civil conflict in 2016.
“These seeds will help me make a fresh start. I want to go back to growing and selling vegetables so I can support my family. It’s better than depending entirely on aid,” she said.
Major Ataur Suzan, one of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers, said the mission is committed to helping local people become more self-reliant and resilient.
“This is just a small example of how we are trying to support livelihoods and promote sustainable peace,” he said.
While humanitarian aid continues to arrive in limited quantities, local leaders in Raja are urging a stronger focus on infrastructure, especially the road network, which they say is critical to economic recovery, peacebuilding and long-term development in Western Bahr el Ghazal and beyond.
