Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have said they regret a deadly clash along the Sudan–Chad border after Chad confirmed that seven of its soldiers were killed during the incident, escalating tensions in a region already destabilised by Sudan’s protracted civil war.
According to Chadian authorities, the confrontation occurred near the porous western border separating Chad from Sudan’s Darfur region, an area long plagued by cross-border movements of armed groups, traffickers and refugees. A senior Chadian official directly blamed the RSF for the attack, describing it as a serious violation of Chad’s territorial integrity and warning that N’Djamena reserves the right to defend its borders.
In a statement carried by regional media, the RSF acknowledged that its fighters were involved in an incident near the frontier and expressed “deep regret” over the loss of life. The paramilitary group said the clash was not intentional and claimed it occurred during movements linked to ongoing military operations inside Sudan. The RSF added that it was prepared to cooperate with authorities to prevent further escalation.
The incident comes as Sudan remains locked in a devastating conflict between the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti), and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Since fighting erupted in April 2023, the war has spilled over Sudan’s borders, placing increasing strain on neighbouring countries, particularly Chad, which has taken in hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees fleeing violence in Darfur.
Security analysts note that Chad’s eastern frontier has become increasingly volatile as armed actors move across poorly policed border zones. The RSF, which has strong roots in Darfur and historical links to cross-border militias, has frequently been accused by Sudan’s neighbours of destabilising frontier regions, accusations the group has repeatedly denied.
Chad’s government has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance since the start of the Sudan war, calling for restraint while strengthening its military presence along the border. Following the latest clash, Chadian officials said additional troops had been deployed to secure the area and prevent further incursions. Local sources cited by Africanews reported heightened military alertness and movement of civilians away from the affected zones.
The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have repeatedly warned that Sudan’s conflict risks triggering a wider regional crisis if cross-border violence continues unchecked. The United Nations has also expressed concern about the militarisation of border areas and the safety of civilians, particularly refugees and aid workers operating in eastern Chad.
Diplomatic sources say N’Djamena is engaging both Sudanese parties through regional channels to avoid a direct confrontation, while stressing that any further attacks on Chadian forces would be considered unacceptable. Chad has previously accused armed groups operating out of Sudan of targeting its territory, especially in periods of heightened instability in Darfur.
For the RSF, the incident adds to mounting international scrutiny over its conduct, as it already faces allegations of widespread abuses during the Sudan war, including attacks on civilians in Darfur, claims documented by the United Nations and human rights organisations. While the group’s expression of regret may help ease immediate tensions, observers say sustained communication mechanisms and clearer border controls will be necessary to prevent similar clashes.
As fighting inside Sudan shows little sign of abating, regional governments fear that continued instability will further erode security along shared borders, complicating humanitarian operations and increasing the risk of direct state-to-state tensions in an already fragile Sahel–Horn of Africa corridor.
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