The government of Chad today announced the immediate closure of its border with Sudan following a series of clashes between Chadian troops and armed groups linked to the ongoing conflict across the frontier.
Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif said the decision was prompted by repeated incursions and violations by forces involved in Sudan’s civil war on Chadian territory. He explained that the move was aimed at preventing any spillover of the conflict into Chad.
Sudan’s paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, has been battling government troops for nearly three years in a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced around 11 million people. The United Nations has described the crisis as one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
According to Chadian authorities, the paramilitary group has carried out several operations near the border, and at least nine Chadian soldiers have been killed in separate incidents since December.
In its statement, the government said it reserves the right to retaliate against any aggression or violation of its territorial integrity. It also announced the suspension of cross-border movement of goods and people, noting that limited humanitarian exemptions would be granted in exceptional cases.
