South Sudan · Close Protection & Executive Security
Close Protection in Juba, South Sudan
Close protection and security drivers in Juba, South Sudan. Executive security for oil-sector, NGO, and diplomatic visitors to the South Sudanese capital.
Planning travel to Juba? Speak with a security consultant.
Juba is the capital of South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and subsequently experienced a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018. A fragile peace under the Revitalised Agreement (R-ARCSS) has held with periodic interruptions since 2018, but the political and security situation remains fragile, with fighting resuming in some regions in 2024 to 2025. South Sudan is an oil producer, with Petronas, China National Petroleum, and other operators managing production across the country. Juba is also home to one of the world’s largest humanitarian operations, with UNMISS, UNHCR, WFP, MSF, and numerous other organisations managing operations across the country’s fragile post-conflict environment.
The security environment in Juba is high risk. Armed robbery and carjacking targeting international personnel, limited emergency response capacity, severely degraded infrastructure, and the ever-present possibility of political violence make structured security planning essential for any visit. All movement must use vetted security transport; night movement should be avoided; and medical evacuation capability must be pre-arranged before any Juba engagement. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to South Sudan. The US State Department classifies South Sudan at Level 4 (Do Not Travel) as of 2026. Sources: FCDO South Sudan travel advice (2026); US State Dept South Sudan Level 4 advisory (2026).
For regional staging and regional security context, Nairobi is the primary East African hub from which South Sudan operations are typically managed. Khartoum to the north provides the regional conflict-environment context.
Threat Profile
Post-Conflict Instability
South Sudan experienced a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. A fragile peace agreement (the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, R-ARCSS) has held with periodic interruptions since 2018, but fighting has resumed in some regions in 2024 to 2025. Juba itself has been relatively stable since 2018, but the political situation remains fragile. Source: FCDO South Sudan travel advice (2026).
Armed Robbery and Violent Crime
Armed robbery, carjacking, and violent crime occur in and around Juba. Incidents have targeted international NGO vehicles, business visitors, and residential compounds. Night-time movement carries significantly elevated risk. A vetted security driver and pre-planned routes are required for all movement.
Intercommunal and Political Violence
South Sudan's complex ethnic and political dynamics mean that intercommunal violence can break out with limited warning. The Juba area, while more stable than the outer states, has experienced political tensions and violence related to internal power struggles within the SPLM/A-IO and SPLM factions. Monitor local conditions carefully.
Infrastructure Collapse
Juba's infrastructure is severely underdeveloped. Road conditions are poor (unpaved and flooded during the rainy season). Power supply is unreliable. Healthcare facilities are extremely limited. These infrastructure factors compound security planning requirements.
Vetted operators with direct experience in Juba
Available Services in Juba
Security Drivers
Vetted security drivers for airport transfers from Juba International Airport (JUB) and in-city corporate movement.
Bodyguard Hire
Close protection officers for oil-sector executives, NGO senior staff, and visiting delegations.
Executive Protection
Structured EP programmes for principals with sustained presence requirements in South Sudan.
Risk Assessment
Pre-visit security assessment covering South Sudan's current political and security environment.
Security Regulations
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in Juba.
Firearms Policy
South Sudan's Private Security Companies Act (2021) regulates private security providers. Armed security is available through licensed South Sudanese operators. Foreign nationals may not carry firearms. Verify operator registration under the 2021 Act before engagement.
Licensing
Private security companies must hold registration under the Private Security Companies Act (2021). Individual guards require documentation under the same framework.
Foreign Operators
Foreign close protection personnel may accompany principals in an unarmed capacity. Armed security must be through licensed South Sudanese operators under the 2021 Act.
Zone Intelligence
Lower-Risk Areas
- Juba Town (central area): the administrative centre containing government ministries, the UN House compound, major international NGO offices, and the main hotels. The most manageable zone for international visitors.
- Tomping: residential area used by some international NGO and diplomatic personnel, adjacent to Juba International Airport.
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Konyo-Konyo market area: elevated theft and robbery risk.
- Night-time movement anywhere in Juba: significantly elevated armed robbery risk after dark.
- Outer Juba and approaches: armed robbery on road approaches to the city.
Emergency Contacts
South Sudan National Police Service
777
UN House Juba (UNMISS)
+211 92 200 0000
Juba Teaching Hospital
+211 92 222 7000
British Embassy Juba
+211 92 000 0000
Important Warnings
- The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to South Sudan, including Juba. The country has a fragile peace following the 2013 to 2018 civil war, and fighting has resumed in some regions. Monitor FCDO South Sudan travel advice before and during any visit. Source: FCDO South Sudan travel advice (2026).
- The US State Department classifies South Sudan at Level 4 (Do Not Travel) as of 2026. Source: US State Dept South Sudan travel advisory (2026).
- Juba International Airport (JUB) is approximately 5km from central Juba. All airport transfers must be pre-arranged with a vetted security driver. Do not use informal transport at arrivals. Night arrivals carry elevated risk and should be avoided where possible.
- Medical facilities in Juba are severely limited. Juba Teaching Hospital provides basic care but lacks capacity for complex trauma or specialist treatment. Medical evacuation to Nairobi, Uganda, or South Africa is the appropriate response for serious conditions. Medical evacuation insurance and a pre-arranged medevac provider are prerequisites for any South Sudan engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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