From Protection to Economic Opportunity

Minister Gen. Rizik Zachariah Hassan announced that he will lead a high-level delegation to the region in February 2025 to assess infrastructure needs, particularly road networks, as a first step toward enabling tourism development.

Speaking during a strategic meeting on Thursday with Peter Gozulu Maze, Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), and Deputy Minister of Information Jacob Maiju Korok, Gen. Hassan emphasized the importance of linking conservation with economic growth.

“We have been managing resources without efficiently utilizing them. It’s time to shift from just conservation to sustainable tourism that benefits the country and its people,” he said.

Collaboration for Sustainable Growth

The meeting explored cooperation strategies between the Ministry and the GPAA to align efforts with South Sudan’s broader tourism development goals.

Gen. Hassan pointed out that the Boma-Badingilo-Jonglei landscape (BBJL) is not only ecologically rich but also holds significant potential for eco-tourism.

“We share joint interests, especially in migratory patterns of antelopes and other wildlife. This area is very attractive and presents vast opportunities,” he noted.

Backed by Data: A Multibillion-Dollar Opportunity

A January 2025 report by the World Bank revealed that South Sudan’s natural resources—particularly wildlife, fisheries, and forestry—have the potential to generate billions of U.S. dollars annually if properly managed and developed.

Key findings included:

• Restoration and management of wildlife alone could bring tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits.
• Sustainable harvesting of migratory antelopes in the BBJL area could generate an annual offtake valued at around $61 million USD.

Next Steps: Laying the Groundwork for Eco-Tourism

Minister Hassan’s upcoming visit will focus on evaluating existing infrastructure, identifying development gaps, and engaging local communities. The goal is to ensure that tourism not only protects biodiversity but also creates jobs and economic opportunities for the people living in and around these landscapes.

The Future of South Sudan’s Tourism is Wild, Green, and Promising

With support from local authorities and international stakeholders, South Sudan is taking bold steps toward unlocking its eco-tourism potential—turning its rich natural heritage into a pillar of sustainable development.

Akileo emphasized that one of the primary challenges facing wildlife conservation in the region is the lack of effective law enforcement and community sensitization on the importance of protecting wildlife.

He stated, “The loss of 11 buffaloes in one incident is a significant blow to our national wildlife population. This act of poaching is deplorable, and I condemn it in the strongest terms. I urge the National Ministry of Wildlife to urgently send wildlife enforcement personnel to safeguard the area, which is home to a rich diversity of species.”

The commissioner also pointed out that the lack of wildlife personnel in the area, combined with insufficient community awareness, is contributing to the rising poaching activities. “Our people are not properly educated about the importance of wildlife conservation,” he said.

South Sudan has gained international recognition for hosting the world’s largest land mammal migration, as highlighted by the Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism. However, the country’s wildlife, especially the antelope population, is currently facing severe threats from commercial poaching, compounded by hunger, widespread access to weapons, and weak enforcement of conservation laws.

In early 2024, wildlife conservation authorities intensified efforts to curb poaching by confiscating vehicles smuggling bushmeat and apprehending suspected poachers. In April 2024, the government issued stern warnings against poaching, stressing that killing wildlife for consumption or trade is illegal and punishable by law.

Colonel John Chol, the leader of the investigation team, urged South Sudanese citizens to recognize the value of their country’s wildlife resources. “This wealth, represented by our wildlife, is ours to protect. We must preserve it for future generations,” he stated.