From East Africa, practices such as the crafting of footwear with recycled tires are a traditional expression of ingenuity in countries like Rwanda and Kenya.
In South Sudan, however, this activity has taken a vital turn: it has become a solution to the deep economic crisis hitting the country, leaving thousands of citizens struggling to meet their basic needs.
With dwindling oil revenues, the South Sudanese government has accumulated months of salary delays, affecting officials, teachers, and military personnel alike.
In this context of fiscal instability, alternatives such as sandals made from recycled rubber emerge, being marketed in street markets as an affordable option compared to the high costs of conventional footwear.
Oil, conflict, and economic breakdown
Since 2023, the South Sudanese pound has experienced a rapid devaluation against the dollar, a result of disruptions in crude oil exports caused by the civil war in neighboring Sudan, through which the key energy transport pipeline passes.
South Sudan relies on oil for over 90% of its annual budget, and the temporary halt in international crude sales this year intensified the macroeconomic fragility. Although the government announced in June the resumption of exports after pipeline repairs, the impact on daily life persists.
The national economy has experienced five consecutive years of contraction, affected by the political confrontation between President Salva Kiir and his Vice President Riek Machar, currently under house arrest on charges of subversion.
Added to this is rapid inflation, which has made essential goods like leather footwear unaffordable for much of the population.
Functional recycling becomes a symbol of community resilience
The World Bank estimates that nearly 80% of the 11 million inhabitants live below the poverty line and face severe food insecurity.
In this context, handmade footwear from discarded tires, previously a cultural expression, now becomes a means of subsistence in a country with high unemployment and limited formal activity.
Flip-flops and sandals made from recycled rubber, sold in informal stalls, become symbols of community resistance, demonstrating how creativity can flourish even in environments devastated by crisis.
Photos: AP
