Chad has begun relocating thousands of Sudanese refugees away from its eastern border as security concerns intensify amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The evacuations started over the weekend in Ennedi Est Province, with authorities aiming to move at least 2,300 people, mostly women and children to safer areas inland. The move follows a deadly drone attack that killed at least 17 people, prompting President Mahamat Idriss Déby to order increased military deployment along the border. The government has warned it could take further action, including cross-border measures, if attacks from Sudanese territory continue.
Since the war erupted in April 2023, hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled into Chad, putting pressure on already limited resources. While the border has faced periodic closures, authorities say humanitarian exceptions remain in place for those fleeing violence. The conflict in Sudan sparked by a power struggle between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed more than 40,000 people, according to the United Nations, though aid agencies believe the true toll could be significantly higher. The war has displaced over 14 million people, creating what is widely described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. It has also triggered disease outbreaks and pushed parts of Sudan toward famine, further deepening instability across the region.
