This location lies approximately 650 kilometres (400 mi), by road, directly north of Juba, the capital and largest city of South Sudan.

Beginning in 2013, Malakal has been the site of numerous battles between government SPLA forces and the Nuer White Army, loosely commanded by the SPLM-IO which is headed by Riek Machar.

[4] As of October 2015, Malakal had exchanged hands twelve times during the civil war, and was utterly destroyed in the process.

[5] On October 14, 2016, an assault occurred on many government positions in Malakal, leaving 56 Agwelek assailants killed.

The hottest time of year is from February to May (Northern Hemisphere spring), just before the wet season starts.

Malakal receives 731.6 millimetres (28.80 in) of rain over 68.0 precipitation days, with a distinct wet and dry season like all of South Sudan.

A major road linking Malakal with the town of Kurmuk at the border with Ethiopia is under repairs and renovations to asphalt surface.

Water traffic on the White Nile River can travel as far north as Khartoum in the Republic of Sudan, and as far south as Adok in Lakes State.

In the eve of Independence day on July 9, 2011, The Upper Nile Times online newspaper was launched.