South Sudan ready to proceed with Fula dam plans, cites sovereignty and Nile Basin resolutions
South Sudan’s Minister of Energy and Dams, Agok Makur, says the government is ready to proceed with plans to construct the Fula Dam, citing the country’s sovereignty and resolutions of the Nile Basin Council of Ministers. Makur spoke to the media in Juba on September 17, saying South Sudan has the right to pursue development […]
Baria Johnson
South Sudan’s Minister of Energy and Dams, Agok Makur, says the government is ready to proceed with plans to construct the Fula Dam, citing the country’s sovereignty and resolutions of the Nile Basin Council of Ministers.
Makur spoke to the media in Juba on September 17, saying South Sudan has the right to pursue development projects in line with its national interests.
He said the Nile Basin Council of Ministers approved 34 projects, including the Fula Dam.
“We do not fear to build our dams because we have a sovereignty. We have a right and also South Sudan is a part of Nile Basin,” Makur said.
The minister said some of the countries that approved the projects in the presence of Egyptian representatives
“These 34 projects include Fula dam,” he said.
Makur said he had declared plans to construct the dams and briefed President Salva Kiir Mayardit on preparations for the project.
“I gave him a report about our preparation to build our dams,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Energy and Dams is ready to proceed with construction.
“We as a Minister of Energy, we are ready for building our dams,” Makur said.
Makur acknowledged that one country had not signed the resolution but said the majority had approved it.
“Even though there is a country there that did not sign the resolution, majority signed for the project to move forward,” he said.
The Fula hydropower site is also part of ongoing regional energy planning.
On April 7, 2026, a joint mission involving the European Union, South Sudan’s Ministry of Energy and Dams, the South Sudan Electricity Corporation, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, and NELSAP-CU visited Nimule to assess progress on the South Sudan-Uganda 400 kV Power Interconnection Project and inspect the Grand Fulla hydropower potential site along the White Nile.
According to information provided by the mission, Grand Fulla has an estimated generation potential of 1,080 megawatts.
The site is also described as part of a regional hydropower pipeline under the Nile Basin Investment Program, with potential connections to the Eastern Africa Power Pool.
NELSAP-CU Regional Coordinator Dr. Eng. Isaac Alukwe said Grand Fulla, together with Shukoli, Lakki and Bedden, is part of a priority pipeline of projects endorsed by Nile Basin countries.
The EU Ambassador said the European Union was ready to support resource mobilization for feasibility studies and environmental and social assessments.
Makur said the South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project remains the immediate priority, while Grand Fulla forms part of the government’s longer-term energy strategy.