Chad has announced the immediate closure of its eastern border with Sudan, saying the measure is necessary to prevent the spillover of violence from Sudan’s ongoing civil war. The border will remain closed “until further notice,” according to Chadian authorities.
A government spokesperson said the decision followed repeated incursions by Sudanese armed groups into Chadian territory. While the move is primarily aimed at protecting civilians, officials said limited exemptions could be granted on humanitarian grounds, provided they receive prior authorisation from the relevant authorities.
The announcement came after intense fighting broke out in the border town of al-Tina, where clashes erupted between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and local fighters aligned with the Sudanese army. The violence underscored growing fears in N’Djamena that the conflict is edging dangerously close to Chadian soil.
Security concerns mount at the frontier
Chadian authorities said the closure was introduced as a precautionary security measure after reports emerged that Sudanese militants had crossed into Chad. In a statement, Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif said the government was acting to prevent the conflict from spreading and to protect both citizens and refugee populations already sheltering in the country.
Chad has absorbed nearly one million Sudanese refugees since fighting erupted in Sudan in 2023, placing immense strain on local communities and humanitarian resources. The country also serves as a critical transit route for aid workers and relief convoys attempting to reach war-affected areas inside Sudan.
Despite the closure, officials stressed that “exceptional exemptions, strictly justified by humanitarian reasons,” may still be approved, signalling an attempt to balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations.
Escalation along the border
Fighting over the weekend in al-Tina reportedly drew Chadian troops into clashes involving Sudanese armed groups. Officials said that the five Chadian soldiers and three civilians were killed, with at least 12 others wounded.
In a further warning, Chad said it “reserves the right to retaliate against any aggression or violation,” urging residents in border areas to remain calm, stay vigilant, and comply with the new restrictions.
Sudan’s war and regional fallout
Sudan has been gripped by a brutal power struggle since April 2023, when tensions between the national army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, escalated into full-scale war. A dispute over plans to integrate the RSF into the regular army quickly spiralled into widespread fighting across the country.
The conflict has destabilised Sudan’s neighbours and deepened regional tensions. Sudan’s army has accused Chad of backing the RSF and allowing military supplies to pass through its territory—claims that the Chadian government has repeatedly denied.
As fighting continues inside Sudan and violence edges closer to its borders, Chad’s decision highlights the growing regional consequences of a war that shows few signs of abating.
