Chad seals Sudan border after deadly conflict

Five Chadian soldiers were killed in transnational clashes in the frontier town of Tine in Sudan’s northern Darfur, urging N’Djamena on 23 February 2026 to close its border with Sudan indefinitely, according to Reuters.

The fighting reportedly happened on 22 February as Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced to have seized control of Tine, releasing video footage purposely showing its fighters inside the town after confronting rebel factions aligned with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) near the frontier. A Chadian official claimed that five soldiers and three civilians were killed, with at least 12 others wounded. 

In a statement issued on 23 February, the government of Chad said the border would remain closed “until further notice” due to what is described as series of incursions and violations by Sudanese armed actors inside Chadian territory. The statement affirmed Chad’s right under article 51 of the United Nations Charter and International customary law to respond to any breach of its sovereignty.

This escalation comes as a result of rising diplomatic friction across the region as Sudan’s Foreign Ministry, supposedly aligned with the army leadership, criticised Uganda for hosting RSF commander Mohamed Dagalo in Entebbe on 21 February. Dagalo met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been tasked by the African Union with mediation efforts in Sudan. Museveni said he emphasised the need for a peaceful political solution during these meetings.

The National, Maghrebi.org