(JUBA) – South Sudan’s teak forests are under threat as soldiers and smugglers exploit weak institutions and porous borders to illegally harvest and export the high value wood. Despite an official suspension of logging permits in January 2025 by Environment and Forestry Minister Josephine Napwon, the illegal teak trade continues to flourish, with large volumes leaving the country unlawfully, mostly destined for India and, to a lesser extent the Netherlands.
Teak, often referred to as the “king of woods,” has been classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature since 2004. South Sudan is among the few African countries with significant reserves of this tropical hardwood, prized for its durability and used in making furniture, boats and luxury fittings. However, despite a trade ban on South Sudanese teak under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), logging persists illegally.
According to The Elephant, over 100,000 tonnes of South Sudanese teak are exported annually. The World Bank estimates that the country could earn up to $150 million (about 690 billion South Sudanese Pounds) in annual revenue from teak, but it receives just $2 million (about 9.2 billion SSP), with the rest siphoned off through smuggling networks.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Legal Teak Revenue (Annually) | $150 million / 690 billion SSP |
| Actual Revenue Received | $2 million / 9.2 billion SSP |
| Annual Volume Exported (Illegal & Legal) | 100,000 tonnes |
Illegal logging has led to severe environmental damage, including deforestation, soil erosion and depletion of biodiversity. Areas in southern South Sudan, particularly near the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda borders, have been heavily affected. Armed groups and sections of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In-Opposition have reportedly facilitated the felling and smuggling of trees.
Security experts and officials confirm that some members of the national army are directly involved in logging or provide protection for smugglers. Former Defence Minister Angelina Teny attributed military involvement to economic desperation, with unpaid soldiers turning to illegal timber trade to survive.
Once felled, teak is moved across the border into Uganda, particularly via the Moyo District in the north. Ugandan officials are accused of issuing letters to permit the transport of the logs. These logs are then accompanied by fake certificates of origin and labelled as Ugandan timber. This disguise allows the wood to be exported through Kenya’s Mombasa Port.
Investigative journalist John Allan Namu reports that South Sudanese teak is often mixed with timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Uganda and rebranded as a Ugandan product. From Mombasa, most of it is shipped to India, where around 73 percent of illegal South Sudanese teak ends up. Some is processed in India and sent to Rotterdam, Netherlands.
India, despite having its own plantations, cannot meet the high domestic and international demand for teak. Corrupt certification processes allow the timber to be labelled as Indian origin, bypassing the European Union’s timber regulations, which prohibit illegally sourced wood.
Online marketplaces such as Facebook are also being used to sell teak, with little regulatory oversight. Many of the traders are unregistered and operate informally. Loggers often enter forests without permits or documentation, highlighting the weak enforcement capacity of South Sudanese forestry authorities.
Experts now propose the creation of DNA databases for teak and other valuable timber. These would allow governments and international authorities to track the origin of timber through genetic markers, even after processing. DNA tools, combined with electronic tracking systems like those used in Ghana, could help monitor supply chains and detect anomalies.
Databases such as Africa-Twix, the Central Africa Forest Observatory, and the Open Timber Portal already support forest monitoring and governance efforts. These platforms promote transparency, traceability, and cross border cooperation in the fight against illegal logging.
| Proposed Solutions | Description |
|---|---|
| DNA Timber Databases | Identify wood origin through genetic markers |
| Electronic Tracking Systems | Monitor timber movement in real time |
| Regional Forest Monitoring Portals | Improve cooperation and traceability |
| Increased Law Enforcement Support | Deter illegal operations at borders |
| Greater Civil Society and Media Involvement | Raise awareness and accountability |
However, experts caution that these technologies can only be effective if supported by strong institutions and coordinated law enforcement. South Sudan currently faces numerous security, governance, and corruption challenges. Border controls remain weak, and reports of collusion between smugglers and officials are widespread.
Activists and researchers call for more engagement from civil society and regional stakeholders to raise awareness and advocate for stronger environmental protection. Information on the ecological and economic damage caused by teak smuggling is essential to push for reform and stricter enforcement.
International bodies like the IUCN and the World Customs Organization are being urged to work more closely with the South Sudanese government and its neighbours to combat timber trafficking and address institutional weaknesses.
