Sudan Accuses Chad of Supporting Rapid Support Forces Amid Ongoing Conflict
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry rejected Chad’s denial of support to the RSF, providing satellite images and UN reports as evidence. Chad refuted allegations, emphasizing its hosting of Sudanese refugees and accusing Sudan of deflecting responsibility for its issues. Sudan has complained to the African Commission concerning Chad’s alleged complicity in the RSF’s crimes, amidst the escalating humanitarian crisis.
On November 9, 2024, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry firmly rejected Chad’s denial of providing support to the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is engaged in conflict against the Sudanese army. The ministry produced satellite imagery and United Nations reports as evidence of Chad’s involvement in supplying weapons and fighters from the United Arab Emirates to the RSF. Human rights organizations, including the Conflict Observatory, have corroborated these assertions. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated that Chad’s ongoing assistance to the RSF, deemed a terrorist militia, is evident. Conversely, Chad’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued on November 8, denied the allegations and emphasized that it has hosted approximately 1.5 million Sudanese refugees over two decades. Chadian Foreign Minister Ghulam Allah Abdel Rahman accused Sudanese authorities of making misleading accusations to distract from the challenging state of affairs in their own country. Sudan dismissed Chad’s denial as insufficient and reiterated that evidence clearly identifies Chad as a key transit point for arms and mercenaries supporting the RSF. In response to these developments, Sudan has lodged a complaint against Chad with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, alleging that Chad is complicit in the RSF’s alleged crimes including aggression, genocide, and rape. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has plunged Sudan into a severe humanitarian crisis, further destabilizing the region.
The tension between Sudan and Chad arises from the complex regional dynamics exacerbated by the civil war in Sudan, which features violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF. The RSF, formed from Janjaweed militias, is implicated in various human rights abuses, prompting accusations against Chad for potentially supporting this group through logistical and military aid. The involvement of international actors, like the United States, adds an extra layer of scrutiny regarding Chad’s role in the conflict and the resulting humanitarian issues facing Sudan.
The situation surrounding Sudan’s accusations against Chad regarding support for the RSF illustrates a significant geopolitical tension in the region. While Sudan cites compelling evidence of Chad’s involvement, Chadian authorities vehemently deny these claims, framing them as deflections from internal challenges within Sudan. Amid this dispute, the humanitarian crisis continues to intensify in Sudan, with international observers closely monitoring the ramifications of this conflict on regional stability.
Original Source: sudantribune.com