Chad announced on Monday that it is closing its border with Sudan indefinitely, following repeated clashes between Chadian forces and armed groups involved in Sudan’s civil war.
Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif said the move aims to prevent the conflict from spilling into Chadian territory. “This decision follows repeated incursions and violations by forces engaged in the conflict in Sudan,” he said.
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting government troops for nearly three years, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced 11 million people, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, according to the UN.
The RSF has carried out several operations near the Chad border, and at least nine Chadian soldiers have been killed in separate incidents since December.
Chad’s statement warned that the country “reserves the right to retaliate against any aggression or violation of the inviolability of its territory and its borders.” It added that cross-border movement of goods and people is suspended, although “exceptional exemptions” may be granted for humanitarian purposes.
AFP
