Chad has increased military deployments along its border with Sudan and closed desert routes allegedly used to supply weapons and fighters to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, sources said on Monday. The measures followed the seizure of military vehicles belonging to Sudan’s Joint Force after they crossed into Chadian territory.
Border tensions intensified after Chad’s military reported on August 23 that suspected Sudanese military or allied drones had attacked a convoy in the eastern Ennedi-Est region, more than 100 kilometres from the border.
Chadian troops have since conducted desert security operations, established temporary border posts and seized armed vehicles and weapons from Sudanese fighters. Authorities also searched Sudanese refugee camps following claims that some residents had participated in fighting in Sudan. The tighter security has raised humanitarian concerns, as Chad hosts more than two million Sudanese refugees across 13 camps and reception centres in the east. Refugee arrivals have surged since fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023.
Sudan’s army-aligned government has accused external actors of using Chadian territory to supply the RSF, an allegation N’Djamena denies.