Sudan Takes on Chad: Will the AU Intervene in this High-Stakes Border Dispute
- Indeed, more than a year has passed since the relationship between the two neighbors deteriorated further.
The rag is burning between Sudan and Chad. Indeed, more than a year has passed since the relationship between the two neighbors deteriorated further. Khartoum accuses Ndjamena of providing support to the Rapid Support Forces (FSR) who, according to him, commit abuses: killing, rape, forced displacement of populations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan. Moreover, as recently as October 29, the representative of Sudan to the United Nations declared that 30 trucks of humanitarian aid transported to his country from Chad were under the protection of the FSR, while in fact, according to him, they were transporting weapons sophisticated over the enemy. With this accusation, Khartoum filed an official complaint against the Chadian government before the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights located in Banjul in the Gambia. The aim of this complaint, dated November 1, 2024, is to pursue the FSR and their foreign allies before international courts. These accusations, as could be expected, were refuted by Ndjamena who ensures that he does not intervene in Sudan, except as a mediator to bring peace to this country in the grip of civil war. This, apparently, risks not reducing the tension between the two countries. If the complainant claims to have concrete evidence of his neighbor’s involvement, it is up to him to provide it to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which can allow African jurisdiction to rule. Then the African Union (AU) could take the opportunity to deny and try to end external intervention in this war that has left hundreds of thousands dead, millions displaced and created an urgent need for aid. Because, it must be recognized, the Sudan Armed Forces led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, are all supported by foreign powers. Support which, unfortunately, does not make it possible to put an end to this conflict which has completely devastated the country. From now on, all eyes are on the HE who must follow up on this complaint. Will she give herself the means to achieve this? We wait and see. In any case, it can already rely on the investigation that the competent court will conduct. If he succeeds, the continental organization will then be able to confirm or deny the accusations made against Chad.
Edoé MENSAH-DOMKPIN