Chad accuses Sudan of striking vehicle convoys arriving from Libya

Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on Monday that Chad’s military general staff had accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of pursuing and striking convoys of vehicles that entered Chadian territory from Libya on Thursday evening using drones.

More than 12 vehicles traveling from Libya toward Sudan were reportedly attacked as they retreated into a desert area in northeastern Chad, near the Chad-Sudan-Libya border triangle. No casualties on the Chadian side were reported.

The Chadian military said Sudanese drones pursued the convoys for nearly 100 kilometers inside Chadian territory, describing the incident as a new incursion by the Sudanese army.

Authorities did not disclose the identities of those aboard the vehicles. However, Chadian researcher Remadji Hoinathy told RFI that they were likely fighters of Chadian, Libyan and Sudanese origin heading to Sudan to reinforce the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Hoinathy said the area has seen extensive activity by armed groups linked to illegal gold mining or Libyan actors, adding that the RSF regularly recruits armed fighters willing to work as mercenaries.

He described the scale of the Sudanese incursion into Chad as unprecedented, saying it could renew questions over N’Djamena’s position on the war in Sudan.

Sudan and Chad have traded accusations over support for the warring parties. Khartoum has repeatedly accused N’Djamena of allowing supplies to reach the RSF through Chadian territory, allegations denied by Chad, which, accused the Sudanese army of violating its airspace and territory.

N’Djamena maintains that it is neutral in the Sudanese conflict. Chad is hosting more than 700,000 Sudanese refugees and has warned of the war’s repercussions for its security and domestic stability.

The Chad-Sudan border stretches for around 1,400 kilometers and has seen increased arms and fuel smuggling, as well as large movements of refugees fleeing the fighting, since the war erupted in April 2023.