Chad has publicly accused Sudan of supporting rebel groups on Chadian soil, alleging Sudan provides both arms and funding to destabilise the country.
According to Chad’s foreign affairs minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, Sudan is backing Zaghawa rebels operating from Sudan’s El Facher region. The rebel faction is led by Ousman Dillo, whose brother, opposition figure Yaya Dillo Djerou, was killed by Chadian forces earlier this year.
Historically, Chad and Sudan have endured turbulent relations. In 2008, Zaghawa rebels, allegedly based in Sudan, nearly captured N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, before being repelled with French assistance.
Tensions flared again in 2021 following the death of Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno, who was succeeded by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, after Deby’s death near the Libyan border.
Sudan’s government, in turn, has accused Chad of supplying arms to the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in conflict with Sudan’s army since April 2023. Chad and the UAE, also implicated in these allegations, have denied any involvement.
