Chad closes border with Sudan citing cross-border incursions by warring parties

ISTANBUL

Chad has closed its border with Sudan until further notice, the Information Ministry said Monday, citing repeated cross-border incursions and violations by warring parties in the neighboring country embroiled in civil war.

In a statement on the US social media platform Facebook, the ministry said all trade and travel across the border are suspended, though exceptions could be made for humanitarian purposes with prior government approval.

It said the measure is intended to prevent the Sudan war from spilling into Chad, protect citizens and refugees, and safeguard the country’s stability and territorial integrity.

The ministry said Chad reserves the right under international law to respond to any aggression or violation of its territorial integrity and borders.

The move comes as the Sudanese army and allied forces have repeatedly clashed with paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the border state of North Darfur.

Clashes over the weekend in the border town of El Tina were reportedly sparked by an RSF assault, causing casualties among Chadian soldiers.

Chad has reportedly served as a transit route for supplies, including weapons and drones, to RSF, though the Chadian government denies involvement.

Of Sudan’s 18 states, the RSF controls the five Darfur states in the west, except for parts of North Darfur that remain under army control. The military retains control over most of the remaining states, including the capital, Khartoum.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced about 13 million people, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and famine conditions, according to UN reports.