Chad Accuses Sudan of Supporting Rebel Groups to Undermine Stability

Chad has accused Sudan of arming and financing Zaghawa rebel groups on its territory to destabilize the nation. This claim follows a historical backdrop of conflict between the two nations, particularly involving the Zaghawa ethnic group. The recent civil war in Sudan has exacerbated tensions, complicating the humanitarian situation significantly.

On Friday, Chad formally accused Sudan of providing arms and financial support to rebel factions operating within Chadian territory, with the intention of undermining stability in Chad. According to Chad, these rebel elements belong to the Zaghawa ethnic group and are based in Sudan’s El Facher region. Abderaman Koulamallah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and government spokesperson, asserted, “Sudan is financing and arming terrorist groups operating in the sub-region with the aim of destabilising Chad.” The Zaghawa rebel forces in Sudan are reportedly led by Ousman Dillo, who is notably the younger sibling of Yaya Dillo Djerou, a Chadian opposition leader who was recently killed by Chadian armed forces. This ongoing rivalry traces back to prominent clashes, such as the significant offensive in February 2008 by a Zaghawa group that forced the then-president Idriss Deby Itno into a defensive retreat to his palace. Idriss Deby later met his end in 2021 while confronting rebel forces near Chad’s border with Libya, leading to his son Mahamat Idriss Deby being appointed as president. In responding to Chad’s accusations, the Sudanese government has reproached Chad for allegedly interfering with Sudan’s civil war by allegedly supplying arms from the United Arab Emirates to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusations that both Chad and the UAE vehemently deny. The conflict in Sudan, which commenced in April 2023, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, claimed tens of thousands of lives, and displaced over 11 million individuals, including approximately 3.1 million who now reside in neighboring countries, according to monitoring agencies.

The strained relationship between Chad and Sudan has historical roots, with recurrent tensions stemming from internal and cross-border conflicts involving rebel groups. The Zaghawa ethnic group has been particularly prominent in these conflicts, with several instances of armed uprisings against the Chadian government originating from Sudanese territory. The dynamics of these conflicts have been exacerbated by leadership changes in both countries and their respective accusations of external meddling.

In summary, Chad’s accusations against Sudan highlight a significant geopolitical concern regarding regional stability and the impacts of armed conflict along their shared border. The discussed involvement of both nations in each other’s internal affairs underscores a continuous cycle of warfare and unrest that affects the civilian population significantly. The situation remains critical, necessitating comprehensive dialogue to address the underlying issues and prevent further escalation.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com