South Sudan has inaugurated the Egyptian-funded “Somba” groundwater station at Juba University, part of a wider bilateral programme that has implemented 28 solar-powered drinking water stations across the country.
Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam received a report on the facility’s opening from Aref Ghareeb, head of the Nile Water Affairs Sector. The station was officially inaugurated by South Sudan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, James Mawiej Makuac, alongside Egyptian Ambassador to South Sudan Hazem Mamdouh and Shaaban Abu El-Fotouh, head of the Egyptian Irrigation Mission in South Sudan, as well as other officials from both countries.
Sewilam stated that the Somba station will provide safe drinking water to Juba University students and staff, as well as residents in the surrounding areas, supporting local health, environmental conditions, and the educational process.
The minister noted that the facility is part of an integrated system of bilateral cooperation projects implemented by Egypt in South Sudan. The initiative has completed 28 solar-powered groundwater stations to date, with each facility designed to serve more than 3,000 families.
According to Sewilam, the opening reflects the historical ties between the two nations and Egypt’s commitment to supporting sustainable development and living standards in Nile Basin countries.
Broader cooperation between the two nations includes waterway clearing operations in the Bahr el Ghazal river in Bentiu, the construction of rainwater harvesting dams for drought periods, and the establishment of water level and flow measurement stations to gather data for developmental studies. Egypt has also assisted in establishing a forecasting and early warning centre at South Sudan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
The Egyptian water resources ministry pairs its infrastructure projects with capacity-building programmes, training local technical staff on operation and maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the facilities. Sewilam affirmed that Egypt will continue to provide technical support and exchange expertise with South Sudan across various water resource management fields.
