Providing a vital commercial and humanitarian link between Southern Sudanese states, Mundri Bridge recently re-opened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on 27 May.

The bridge, inaugurated in a special ceremony by First Vice-President of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Salva Kiir, is the third largest in the region, joining Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal with the Equatoria states.

Destroyed during Sudan's 21-year civil war, Mundri Bridge was reconstructed by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Ministry of Transport and Roads, with support from the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund, European Union and non-governmental organizations.

Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly Philip Koti Wala called the newly reconstructed bridge a huge step forward, especially for food security. "It will link our bread basket, Western Equatoria State, to Juba. We get our food from other countries, but with the bridge … we can … feed our people." he said.

According to WFP Deputy Coordinator Daniela Awin, the bridge would boost ongoing development and reconstruction in the country. The bridge was just the beginning, however, as more roads were now needed to transport food and other commercial items. "You can grow as much food as you want, but if you don't have a road to get it out, what are you going to do with it?"

Mundri Bridge was first constructed in about 1977, but was destroyed in 1991 during Sudan's 21-year civil war. It is the third largest steel bridge in Southern Sudan, after Juba and Payii Bridges. The 85 metre-long bridge is 4.2 metres wide with two walkways and a weight limit of 50 metric tons.