This location lies approximately 295 kilometres (183 mi), by road, west of Juba, the capital of South Sudan and the largest city in that country.

Maridi given its geostrategic position is rich in history dating back to the pre-colonial era where the Baka tribe used it as a hub for settlement, agriculture production and hunting.

Anthropologist E. E. Evans-Pritchard spent a significant time in Maridi studying the behavioral patterns of the Baka people.

During the post-colonial era, the north Sudanese merchants and military occupied the area where they traded in coffee, fruits, timber and minerals.

In September 2015, an oil tanker exploded on a road about 20 km from Maridi, at Bahir Naam Payam, killing over 170 people.

Injured were taken to Maridi Civil Hospital and Olo Primary Health Clinic in Mambe Payam, according to Radio Tamazuj.