As the going gets tough in South Sudan, some artisans offer cheap footwear made from rubber tires
From Rwanda to Kenya, turning discarded tires into footwear has long showcased the ingenuity of local artisans.
In South Sudan, that same creativity is now being driven by crisis. With the country grappling with a severe economic downturn, the government teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, and millions struggle to afford even the basics.
As oil revenues dry up, civil servants—including soldiers and teachers—have gone unpaid for months, a stark reminder of the widespread hardship gripping the nation. In response, many are finding new ways to cope.
For those in need of affordable shoes, the answer isn’t found in stores but in bustling open-air markets, where worn-out tires—once considered trash—are transformed into rugged flip-flops and sandals by resourceful hands.
Demand rises along with cost of living
Footwear crafted from recycled rubber tires are displayed on the ground in Wau, South Sudan, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Atit)
In the lively heart of Wau, a town situated roughly 650 kilometers (400 miles) from South Sudan’s capital, Juba, shoemaker Emmanuel Achuil sits beneath the makeshift shelter of a weathered tarpaulin in the bustling main market. The air is thick with the sounds of haggling vendors and the scent of fresh produce mingling with dust.
Achuil’s hands, stained deep black from hours of working with rubber, move with practiced precision as he carves strips from old, discarded tires using a sharp blade. Around him, a kaleidoscope of colorful straps—reds, yellows, blues are scattered across the ground, each piece waiting to be transformed. The straps, lying in disarray, resemble the scattered fragments of a puzzle, hinting at the vibrant sandals they will soon become under Achuil’s skilled craftsmanship.
