Chad has closed its border with Sudan until further notice, the country’s Information Ministry announced on Monday, February 23, citing repeated cross-border incursions linked to the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the ministry confirmed that all trade and travel across the frontier have been suspended. However, humanitarian movements may be permitted subject to prior government approval.
The Government said the decision is aimed at preventing the Sudan conflict from spilling into Chadian territory, while protecting citizens, refugees and safeguarding national stability and territorial integrity. It added that Chad reserves the right under international law to respond to any aggression or border violations.
The closure follows renewed fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur, a state bordering Chad.
Over the week-end, clashes in the border town of El Tina were reportedly triggered by an RSF attack, resulting in casualties among Chadian soldiers. Although Chad has been accused of serving as a transit corridor for supplies, including weapons and drones, to the RSF, the government has denied any involvement.
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by sustained violence between the army and the RSF. The RSF controls most of the five Darfur states, with the exception of parts of North Darfur, while the army retains authority over most other regions, including the capital, Khartoum.
According to United Nations reports, the war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced approximately 13 million people, deepening what is now regarded as one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises and fuelling famine conditions across parts of the country.