Chad Shuts Border With Sudan in Bid to Stop Conflict Spreading

Published: 24 February 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Chad has officially closed its entire eastern border with Sudan in an effort to prevent the ongoing civil war there from spilling into its territory, authorities in the Chadian capital N’Djamena announced on Monday. The move follows deadly clashes in recent days that left several Chadian soldiers and civilians dead, and reflects deepening concerns that the conflict could destabilise the wider Central African region.

Chad’s government said the border — long shared with Sudan’s turbulent Darfur region — will remain closed “until further notice.” Communications Minister Gassim Cherif Mahamat told local media that repeated incursions by forces linked to the Sudanese civil war constituted violations of Chadian sovereignty and posed risks “of the conflict spreading to our soil.” The government emphasised that the closure is intended to protect Chadian citizens, refugees and the country’s territorial integrity.

The decision was triggered by a series of violent incidents near the frontier town of Tine, where clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and factions allied with the Sudanese army spilled over into Chadian territory. Chadian officials have confirmed that at least five soldiers were killed in these confrontations, alongside several civilians, and more than a dozen were wounded during recent fighting.

Chad’s shut‑down affects all major crossing points along one of Africa’s longest and most porous frontiers. The government said that movement of goods and people across the border is suspended, with limited exceptions possible only for strictly vetted humanitarian operations. Refugee flows from the Sudanese conflict — which has displaced millions since erupting in April 2023 — have already placed heavy strain on Chad, which hosts a substantial number of Sudanese refugees.

The border closure underscores how the war in Sudan, now more than three years old and largely fought between the Sudanese army and the RSF, continues to generate security challenges for neighbouring states. Periodic incursions and cross‑border attacks have killed Chadian troops and damaged property in frontier regions, increasing fears in N’Djamena that unchecked hostilities could turn into a broader regional conflagration.

Analysts say the closure also reflects a shift in Chad’s posture from reluctant neighbour to proactive defender of its sovereignty. Government statements assert the right to respond to any aggression and make clear that Chad will not tolerate further breaches of its border. While the official stance emphasises defensive measures, there are growing concerns that prolonged security threats could drag Chad further into Sudan’s complex conflict dynamics.

Humanitarian organisations have warned that border closures, while aimed at enhancing security, risk complicating relief efforts for civilians caught in Sudan’s catastrophic crisis. Aid groups have repeatedly highlighted the scale of human suffering caused by the conflict, describing it as one of the worst humanitarian emergencies globally, with millions displaced, food insecurity rampant and basic services severely disrupted.

Chad’s closure comes as regional leaders and international mediators are also exploring avenues to de‑escalate the Sudanese war and address the broader humanitarian fallout. For now, however, the border restriction reflects N’Djamena’s determination to shield its own territory from the violence that has defined Sudan’s civil war and to manage the complex security and humanitarian pressures emanating from its neighbour.

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