South Sudan Takes Full Control of Its Skies with New Air Traffic System
JUBA Afrik24 — In a historic milestone for its national sovereignty and civil aviation, South Sudan has officially inaugurated its first independent national Air Traffic Management (ATM) system.
The commissioning ceremony, led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit at Juba International Airport, marks the end of a transitional era during which the country relied on neighboring Sudan to manage its upper airspace.
The newly unveiled infrastructure features a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower in the capital, alongside advanced radar, communication, and weather observation networks extended to regional hubs in Wau and Malakal.
Officials revealed that the system utilizes a high-tech configuration of six radars, comprising three primary and three secondary units. Aviation authorities have noted that this setup establishes the network as one of the most technologically advanced on the African continent, positioning South Sudan to completely self-regulate its flight paths.
During his address at the inauguration ceremony, President Kiir emphasized the profound geopolitical and operational significance of the project, declaring that South Sudan has finally reclaimed full control over its skies.
He directed the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority and associated security sectors to maintain rigorous, uninterrupted oversight of the system, underscoring that the nation cannot afford operational lapses that would compromise its newly asserted airspace sovereignty.
The development rectifies a long-standing arrangement stemming from the country’s independence in 2011.
Under a 2016 agreement brokered by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Khartoum had continued to oversee South Sudanese airspace, a setup prolonged by the extensive time required to establish local technical capacity.
Built by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) under a cooperation framework funded through the Export-Import Bank of China, the project represents a major breakthrough in bilateral infrastructure development.
Chinese Ambassador Ma Qiang attended the ceremony, describing the system as a landmark initiative that will heavily support regional safety and stimulate economic diversification.
Beyond bolstering national security and flight safety, the automated system is anticipated to transform the country’s economic landscape.
By assuming direct control of its skies, South Sudan can now register commercial airlines and systematically collect air navigation and sovereign overflight fees.
The Ministry of Transport confirmed that more than 80 South Sudanese technicians and traffic controllers have already undergone comprehensive training to operate the advanced machinery, ensuring that local personnel are fully prepared to spearhead the next chapter of East African aviation.
