Chad has closed its entire eastern border with neighbouring Sudan after violent clashes over the weekend linked to Sudan’s long-running civil war resulted in the deaths of five Chadian soldiers and several civilians, according to Chadian officials and multiple international news agencies.
The decision was announced on Monday, 23 February 2026, by Chadian authorities following fierce fighting in the border town of Tine, a remote outpost in eastern Chad that has repeatedly been affected by conflict spilling over from Sudan.
Clashes Along the Frontier
Officials say fighting erupted on Saturday when elements of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and militia groups loyal to the Sudanese government engaged in heavy combat near the border region. The deadly violence crossed into Chadian territory, killing:
- Five Chadian soldiers,
- Three civilians,
- And leaving at least 12 others wounded.
A border guard officer in Tine confirmed the casualty figures, and local sources said additional security measures were urgently needed to protect Chadian civilians living near the volatile frontier.
Government Response and Border Closure
In an official statement, the Chadian government said the eastern border would remain closed “until further notice”, citing “repeated incursions and violations committed by forces in Sudan’s conflict.” The closure, one of the strictest security measures taken by N’Djamena since the Sudan war began – aims to stop the conflict from spreading deeper into Chadian territory, officials said.
Chad’s Communications Minister Mahamat Gassim Cherif stressed that the closure was necessary to protect Chadian citizens and the nearly one million Sudanese refugees sheltering in eastern provinces. Tantamount to a suspension of normal cross-border travel, humanitarian movement may still be allowed under strict government approval.
The government also announced plans to deploy additional troops to strategic positions along the border to deter further incursions and reinforce security for border-adjacent communities.
The Broader Conflict Context
The incident comes nearly three years after Sudan’s civil war erupted in April 2023, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the powerful RSF militia in a struggle for control of the country. The protracted conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, according to United Nations estimates.
Although neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF immediately responded to requests for comment on the latest border clash, analysts warn that the Sudanese conflict is increasingly threatening regional stability. Some experts say Chad’s decision to close its border reflects deeper concerns that the violence could be drawing neighbouring states into a broader confrontation.
Impact on Civilians and Refugee Assistance
The border shutdown is expected to complicate cross-border trade and movement, especially in remote border provinces such as Wadi Fira and Ennedi, which already host large refugee camps. Humanitarian agencies have expressed concern that the restriction could disrupt critical aid deliveries unless designated exceptions are made for relief convoys and medical evacuations.
Local communities living along the frontier, many dependent on seasonal trade and family ties across the border, now face heightened insecurity and limited access to essential goods and services.
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