Sudan war spills over into Chad — AU raises alarm, calls for restraint

The African Union, AU, has called on parties involved in the Chad-Sudan border tensions to exercise “utmost restraint” and refrain from actions capable of further escalating tensions between the two countries.

The AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Youssouf, is closely following reports of airstrikes carried out inside Chadian territory in Ennedi-Est Province, which borders Sudan, amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The ​‌‌⁠⁠⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍​​​​‌​​‌​AU Commission chief underscored the need to “take all necessary measures to prevent the conflict in Sudan from extending beyond the country’s borders,” according to a statement.

He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to strict respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of its member states, as well as the principle of the inviolability of borders.

Mr Youssouf reiterated the 55-member continental organisation’s readiness to support the two neighbouring countries “in any initiative aimed at contributing to de-escalation, preventing further incidents, and preserving regional peace and stability.”

Amid the escalating security situation along the Chad-Sudan border, Chad’s army said it had been placed on high alert after aircraft and drones linked to the conflict in Sudan carried out airstrikes inside Chadian territory.

Chad shares a porous 1,300-kilometre border with Sudan, where armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces had persisted since April 2023.

The conflict had claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, while raising concerns over its potential to further destabilise neighbouring countries and the wider region.