Chad has strongly condemned on Monday March 24 the recent threat from Sudanese General Yasir al-Atta, deputy commander of Sudan’s Army, to target its airports, calling it a “declaration of war.”
This comes after al-Atta accused Chad of allowing the use of its airports for smuggling weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Chad, which has maintained a neutral stance in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, stated that it would respond according to international law if any part of its territory was threatened. The Sudanese army has long accused the UAE of backing the RSF, which is fighting against Sudan’s army in a brutal two-year civil war.
The war in Sudan has generated growing regional instability, drawing in neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan, both accused of supporting the RSF, though they deny these allegations. Chad has criticized Sudan for escalating tensions and urged a ceasefire and constructive dialogue. Chad’s position is particularly sensitive as it is hosting hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, many from Darfur, which remains largely under RSF control. As the RSF has continued its offensive in Darfur, it has claimed the strategic town of al-Malha, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and complicating peace efforts.
The Sudanese conflict has had devastating consequences, including the closure of vital supply routes and the destruction of key infrastructure, such as hospitals and markets in areas like al-Malha. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, remains entrenched in parts of Khartoum, while the Sudanese army has seized crucial locations, including the central bank and the intelligence agency headquarters. While both sides continue to hold key areas, analysts warn that the war’s outcome could lead to a de facto partition of Sudan, with each faction controlling separate zones of influence, further complicating any potential peace process.