Chad has initiated the relocation of Sudanese refugees from its eastern border with Sudan, moving over 2,300 individuals—primarily women and children—inland from Tiné, a border town in the Ennedi Est region. The decision follows President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s directive to deploy troops after a cross-border drone strike killed 17 people in Chad earlier this month, including mourners at a funeral.
Military Mobilization Amid Cross-Border Threats
Chadian authorities have signaled plans to secure the frontier in the coming days, with the army reinforcing its presence and warning of potential operations inside Sudan if attacks continue. The relocation effort, which began over the weekend, is expected to expand to other transit points as tensions linked to Sudan’s internal conflict spill into neighboring regions.
Roots in Sudan’s Prolonged Conflict
The crisis stems from the ongoing war between Sudan’s Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which erupted in April 2023. Violence has increasingly crossed into Chad, displacing civilians and straining resources. Analysts warn that sustained instability could further destabilize the Sahel region, impacting trade routes and humanitarian operations.
