Malakal

Upper Nile State, South Sudan

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Malakal is a city in northeastern South Sudan serving as the capital of Upper Nile State and sitting along the White Nile, just north of its confluence with the Sobat River. As one of the country’s largest cities, Malakal historically functioned as a major regional and trade hub but suffered heavy destruction during the South Sudanese civil war, leaving much of its infrastructure damaged and a large part of the population displaced.

The city now hosts one of the country’s largest camps for internally displaced people, with many residents reliant on humanitarian aid provided by United Nations agencies and NGOs. Malakal’s local economy centers on agriculture, trade, and fishing along the Nile, while ongoing recovery and humanitarian programs are working to support returnees and aid the city’s transformation.

Despite significant challenges, including periodic security issues and limited infrastructure, Malakal remains an important administrative, economic, and cultural center in the Upper Nile region, enriched by its riverside location and diverse communities.