About the Author: About the Author: Sarah Armstrong serves as a Development, Outreach, and Communications Officer at USAID’s Mission in South Sudan.

Western Equatoria State, being one of the largest states in South Sudan and commonly referred to as “the bread basket of Sudan,” is starting the long climb back to its former productivity, with small farmers producing surplus farm produce that is made available in the local markets. Infrastructure development in South Sudan was crippled by decades of civil war and a devastated economy. Now, there is a renewed focus on rebuilding the economy through the variety of means, including roads rehabilitation. On June 13, 2011, both U.S. and Government of South Sudan officials, including the local community, met in Tambura town to cut the ribbon as they inaugurated the first all-weather road in the state.

“The first phase of this program was completed and handed over to the Ministry of Transport and Roads and to the Government of Western Equatoria in November 2009, and together… more »