In a public notice dated Jan. 8, 2026, the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority said access to the airside — where aircraft park, load, refuel and operate — is now “strictly restricted.”
“The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) hereby informs the general public that access to the airside area of Juba International Airport is strictly restricted,” the notice said.
“No individual or vehicle is permitted to enter the airside without valid authorization and an official airside permit,” it added, listing Airside Vehicle Permits, Airport Restricted Area Permits and other SSCAA-approved access credentials.
The restriction applies to all persons and vehicles, with exemptions granted only to “His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan” and “Their Excellencies the Vice Presidents, and their officially designated vehicles,” according to the notice.
The authority warned that any unauthorised access would be treated as “a serious violation of aviation safety and security regulations” and would “attract legal prosecution,” calling on the public to cooperate to ensure “safety, security, and orderly airport operations.”
Juba International Airport — the country’s only major international gateway — serves both civilian and military aviation, a dual-use arrangement that security analysts say complicates access control.
South Sudan does not have a dedicated military airport, and all military aircraft, including army helicopters, drones and foreign military assets, operate from the same airport used by commercial airlines. Ugandan military helicopters supporting security operations in South Sudan are also known to use Juba International Airport, according to multiple security sources.
Aviation and security experts say the absence of a separate military airfield increases pressure on civilian airport security, particularly during periods of political instability.
Multiple security sources separately told Sudans Post that under the new arrangements, government officials and passengers will no longer be allowed to drive directly into airport premises. Instead, vehicles will reportedly be stopped about one kilometre from the terminal, with passengers required to walk through an open area before entering the airport.
The sources said the measure is intended to prevent the covert movement of opposition figures into the airport, amid heightened surveillance following the detention of Riek Machar.
South Sudanese authorities have in recent weeks prevented several opposition officials from leaving the country, according to political and security sources, as tensions within the unity government escalated after Machar’s detention.
While the SSCAA framed the restrictions as a technical aviation safety measure, analysts say the timing suggests broader security considerations, including the mixing of civilian, military and political movements at the airport.
The aviation authority said enforcement would involve Aviation Security (AVSEC), the National Security Service, the Criminal Investigation Department and Military Intelligence units stationed at the airport.
Juba International Airport handles thousands of passengers and large volumes of cargo each month, including humanitarian supplies, commercial imports and government logistics. Airlines operating in South Sudan have long raised concerns about congestion, security coordination and the lack of dedicated infrastructure for military aviation.
The SSCAA said the measures are intended to align airport operations with international civil aviation safety and security standards, and stressed that the restrictions were not aimed at disrupting services.
However, rights groups and political observers warn that without transparency and clear legal safeguards, expanded security controls at critical infrastructure risk being used to restrict freedom of movement during periods of political tension.
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