The government of Chad has shut its eastern border with Sudan following weekend clashes linked to Sudan’s ongoing civil war that left five Chadian soldiers dead, authorities confirmed on Monday.
Officials said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure amid growing concerns that violence from Sudan’s protracted conflict could spill across the frontier. The porous border region has long been vulnerable to armed group movements, trafficking and communal tensions, particularly during periods of instability in Sudan.
The clashes reportedly occurred in an area near the shared boundary, where cross border incursions and militia activity have heightened security risks. While details remain limited, Chadian authorities signalled that the incident was directly connected to the broader fighting that has engulfed Sudan since 2023.
Sudan’s civil war, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has triggered one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The conflict has displaced millions internally and forced large numbers of refugees into neighbouring countries, including Chad.
Chad already hosts hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, particularly in its eastern provinces. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that the strain on local resources, infrastructure and security could intensify if the conflict escalates further or if additional armed actors operate near the border.
By closing the frontier, N’Djamena aims to prevent further infiltration and stabilise the affected zone. Security analysts note that border closures in such contexts serve both as symbolic signals of sovereignty and practical steps to limit armed group mobility. However, they can also complicate humanitarian access and disrupt trade flows that many border communities rely on for survival.
The move underscores Chad’s delicate position. The country shares deep ethnic, economic and security ties with Sudan, yet it must also safeguard internal stability at a time of regional volatility. Any sustained spillover could exacerbate existing challenges, including intercommunal tensions and pressure on state security forces.
Regional observers have stressed the importance of coordinated diplomatic and security efforts to contain the conflict’s external impacts. Without progress toward de escalation inside Sudan, neighbouring states remain exposed to the consequences of prolonged instability.
As the situation develops, attention will focus on whether the border closure remains temporary or signals a longer term hardening of security posture along one of Central Africa’s most fragile frontiers.
Chad launches 2026 humanitarian response plan and refugee response plan
