Chad Suspends All Travel and Trade Activities Across Its Border with Sudan

Moatinoon – Agencies
Chad’s Ministry of Information announced on Monday that it is closing its border with Sudan until further notice, citing repeated cross-border incursions and violations by warring parties in the neighboring country, which is experiencing a civil war.

In a statement published on Facebook, the ministry said all cross-border trade and travel activities have been suspended, with possible exceptions for humanitarian purposes subject to prior government approval.

It added that the measure is intended to prevent the Sudanese war from spilling into Chad, protect citizens and refugees, and preserve the country’s stability and territorial integrity.

The ministry affirmed that Chad reserves the right, under international law, to respond to any aggression or violation of its sovereignty and borders.

The decision comes amid recurring clashes between the Sudanese army and allied forces on one side, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the other, in the border state of North Darfur.

Fighting broke out over the weekend in the border town of El Tina following an attack by RSF forces, resulting in casualties among Chadian soldiers.

In mid-January, Chad condemned what it described as a “flagrant breach” of its borders by Sudan’s RSF, which it said killed at least seven soldiers and wounded others in an attack on Chadian military and civilian sites.

A statement by the official spokesperson for Chadian authorities said: “Armed fighters from the Rapid Support Forces, who are involved in the internal Sudanese conflict, carried out a border breach and launched a military operation inside Chadian territory, targeting the armed forces and security services, as well as civilians… This resulted in the killing of seven soldiers and the injury of others.”

Reports indicate that Chad has served as a transit route for supplies, including weapons and drones, to RSF forces, although the Chadian government has denied any involvement in the clashes.

Chadian authorities stressed their commitment to full neutrality and non-interference in Sudan’s internal armed conflict.