Chad has announced the immediate closure of its border with Sudan following a series of deadly clashes between Chadian soldiers and armed groups linked to Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
In a statement issued Monday, Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif said the decision was taken after what he described as repeated incursions and violations by forces involved in the Sudanese conflict.
“This decision follows repeated incursions and violations committed by the forces involved in the conflict in Sudan on Chadian territory,” Cherif said, stressing that the move was necessary to halt “any risk of the conflict spreading” into Chad.
The border closure comes amid escalating instability in Sudan, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a brutal conflict with government troops for nearly three years.
The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced approximately 11 million, creating what the United Nations has described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Chadian authorities say at least nine of their soldiers have been killed in separate cross-border incidents since December.
The RSF has reportedly carried out multiple operations near the frontier, heightening fears that Sudan’s conflict could spill over into neighboring countries.
In its statement, the Chadian government warned it “reserves the right to retaliate against any aggression or violation of the inviolability of its territory and its borders,” signaling a firmer security posture along the volatile frontier.
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As part of the new measures, all cross-border movement of goods and people has been suspended. However, the government noted that “exceptional exemptions” would be granted for humanitarian reasons, a critical provision given the heavy flow of refugees and aid supplies between the two countries.
For communities living along the border, the closure brings uncertainty.
Trade routes that sustain local economies have been abruptly cut off, while families separated by conflict now face additional barriers to reunification.
At the same time, security officials argue that decisive action is necessary to prevent further bloodshed and protect national sovereignty.
The development underscores the growing regional implications of Sudan’s protracted war, with neighboring states increasingly wary of instability spilling beyond its borders.