Hunting for a way out of war-torn South Sudan

Jamming the dusty roads in South Sudan's capital Juba, vehicles of every type surround the bus station, as people hunt desperately for transport to flee fearing rebel attacks on the city. Trucks and pick-ups loaded with passengers -- mainly children, women and the elderly -- squeeze into every available space. Rammed in between those fleeing is what they can carry of their possessions: bulging suitcases and mattresses, or plastic jerry cans, pots and pans. "We are looking for a vehicle for hire to go and take us home," said Wani Francis, bargaining with drivers at the bustling bus park in the searing heat. Fighting has calmed in the capital Juba since clashes broke out late Sunday between army factions, but violence has escalated elsewhere in the country, and many fear that rebels may try to attack the capital. Military vehicles patrol through Juba fully loaded with soldiers, while troops remain at posts or checkpoints in strategic junctions and key buildings throughout the town. Some foreign countries including the United States and Britain have sent in special military flights. "Two military flights have now departed Juba transporting British nationals who wanted to leave South Sudan," Britain's foreign office said Saturday, urging those who remained to leave. "You may have difficulty leaving in the event of a further deterioration in security." Kenya and Uganda have sent in troops to evacuate citizens on special flights. But for South Sudanese, for the vast majority who cannot afford the expensive and crowded flights, the only way out is to find an increasingly expensive space on a vehicle. Travel costs doubled The road north from Juba heads towards the rebel-held town of Bor. Southwards, the road heads towards Uganda, winding upstream along the lush banks of tumbling waters of the White Nile river. Trundling down the road is a long procession of vehicles, from large buses to small cars, as thousands take the chance to leave the city while they can. Some travelers hire a whole vehicle to transport their families, while others who can't afford the rising prices demanded load luggage -- even including mattresses -- onto a motorbike, and then hire another to travel alongside. Sometimes even three people hold on tight to the bike as it bounces down the tracks out the ramshackle city. Businessmen are taking advantage of the demand, with bus fares nearly doubled. Thousands have fled in the past three days, with trucks that normally carry heavy loads of goods now parking on the streets for passengers to board. Long queues of vehicles weighed down with heavy loads of luggage strapped down with rope and passengers balanced on top crowd fuel stations before heading off. But the markets remain busy, bustling with shoppers ahead of Christmas, and with those stocking up on food and water. Not everyone is fleeing. In a land that has suffered for so long from war, some refuse to think that things could get worse. "I'm shopping for Christmas," said Taban John, proudly showing his gift purchases -- a shirt, two pairs of trousers and a belt. "Of course I'm concerned, but the fighting won't stop me from enjoying Christmas," he added. "I am not going to leave Juba... when it comes to Christmas, it is the time when as a human being you know you just have to carry on."