Tchad-Soudan border crisis fueling tensions in N’Djamena

The escalating conflict in Sudan has triggered a severe humanitarian emergency, with nearly one million people fleeing into neighboring Chad. The situation has intensified after the fall of El-Fasher in North Darfur, where close to 100,000 civilians escaped within just two weeks—including around 6,000 who crossed into Chad. This influx has pushed an already fragile nation, grappling with years of regional instability, to its limits.

Closed borders and rising security concerns

The 1,300-kilometer border between Chad and Sudan cuts through remote, hard-to-monitor desert terrain—historically exploited by armed groups and rebel factions. Today, the advance of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which now controls most of Darfur, has turned these areas into a new flashpoint. Since December 2024, military tensions have escalated sharply: a drone strike in Chad killed two soldiers, and an RSF incursion in January 2025 near Tiné resulted in seven fatalities.

In response, Chad has completely sealed its border, citing direct risks of spillover violence threatening its territorial security.

Diplomatic neutrality under scrutiny

While N’Djamena insists it remains neutral in Sudan’s civil war, mounting evidence—including satellite analysis—suggests arms from the United Arab Emirates may have been transiting through Chad to support the RSF. Government officials strongly deny the allegations, emphasizing that Chad itself has been targeted by cross-border attacks and incursions.

The accusations have deepened internal divisions. In April 2025, several high-ranking officers, particularly from the Zaghawa ethnic group—prominent in the security apparatus and traditionally opposed to the RSF—were purged from their positions.

France re-engages as a key ally in border security

After a period of strained relations, Chad is actively seeking to restore ties with France. The Sudan conflict is now a central topic in discussions between President Mahamat Idriss Déby and French President Emmanuel Macron. France previously provided critical intelligence support to secure the border—a lifeline that has diminished over time. Rebuilding this partnership is seen as vital for Chad’s stability.