Chad’s government announced Monday that it has closed its border with Sudan indefinitely, citing repeated incursions linked to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The closure affects the key Adre crossing with West Darfur and is intended to prevent Sudanese armed groups from entering Chadian territory. “The measure aims to prevent any risk of the conflict spreading to our soil, to protect our citizens and refugee populations, and to guarantee the stability and territorial integrity of our country,” the government said in a statement.
Chadian Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Chérif told RFI that the move is designed to safeguard Chad from the impacts of Sudan’s war. “We will not yield to attempts to destabilize Chadian institutions. Not a single kilometer of the border escapes our control,” he said.
The Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ahmat Yacoub, a researcher at the Center for Studies for the Development and Prevention of Extremism (CEDPE), said the border closure signals Chad is now drawn into the conflict.
The war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, has periodically spilled over into Chad, causing casualties and property damage. Local sources said fighting on Saturday spilled into Chad, where militias attacked a Chadian army outpost in Tine.
Chadian officials reported that clashes killed five soldiers and three civilians, and wounded 12 people. A border guard officer said additional security measures were needed to protect civilians.
Chad has deployed thousands of troops along the 1,400-kilometer border, according to a security source. Last year, a drone attack killed two Chadian soldiers, though it was unclear who carried it out.
Chad hosts more than 1 million Sudanese refugees who have fled the war.