The government of Chad announced on Monday that it is shutting its border with Sudan until further notice, following repeated incursions by armed groups involved in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict.
Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif said the closure aims to prevent the conflict from spilling over into Chadian territory, after clashes that have claimed the lives of at least nine Chadian soldiers since December.
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been fighting government troops for nearly three years, a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced around 11 million people, according to the UN.
Chad’s statement emphasized that the country reserves the right to retaliate against any violation of its territory and borders.
Cross-border movement of goods and people is suspended, though “exceptional exemptions” for humanitarian purposes are allowed.
The move highlights concerns over the conflict’s regional impact and Chad’s determination to protect its sovereignty and prevent further escalation along its borders.
