Hon. Michael Makuei, the Minister of Information and government official Spokesperson - Credit: Moses Awan/Eye Radio - April 26, 2023

South Sudan government said on Friday it will contact neighboring Ethiopia to follow up on why construction on the Pagak – Maiwut road has installed on their side.

In May 2023, the two countries signed an agreement to build the Paloch – Mathiang – Maiwut – Pagak Road to boost trade and provide an alternative route for the export of South Sudan crude oil.

The highway links western Ethiopia and northeastern South Sudan.

On Friday, South Sudan Minister of Roads and Bridges Simon Mijok Mijak presented a report to the cabinet on the implementation status of the project.

Information Minister Michael Makuei said the report shows that Ethiopia has not yet embarked on building the road towards the border.

“The cabinet listened to report on Paloch – Mathiang – Mayout – Pagak road which is off course the road that connects us with Ethiopia. The minister clarified to the cabinet that it is meeting some difficulties especially on the other side,” Makuei told reporters.

“Up to now, our partner has not done anything, so he (road minister) is urging us to follow up with the Ethiopian counterpart so that the construction on this road can start.”

Minister Makuei said the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir then directed the relevant institutions to contact Addis Ababa and follow up on the matter.

The infrastructure agreement was signed mid last year, by Ethiopian Minister of Finance Eyob Tekalign and then South Sudan counterpart Dier Tong Ngor.

Makuei points out that the road will assist in transportation of crude oil and importation of finished goods from Djibouti because it is the nearest route other than from Mombasa.

“It is important that this road starts because it will resolve so many problems including the transportation of the crude oil and the importation of the finished goods from Djibouti because it is the nearest route actually other than Mombasa.”

“The report was appreciated and passed, and the concerned institutions were requested or directed to follow up on with the implementations of this road agreement.”