Sudan opens Chad border crossing for aid after months of pressure
August 15, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s government on Thursday decided to open the Adré border crossing with Chad for three months to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in the western Darfur region, following months of pressure from United Nations agencies.
The Sudanese authorities had previously resisted opening the crossing, located on the western border of West Darfur state, citing concerns that it was being used to supply weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
In a statement, the Transitional Sovereign Council said it had directed the Humanitarian Aid Commission to open the Adré crossing “according to the usual and agreed-upon controls” to ensure aid reaches those in need.
UN agencies have recently ramped up humanitarian aid deliveries from Chad to Sudan via the Tine crossing. However, heavy rains threaten to make the crossing impassable, posing new logistical hurdles for international aid efforts.
On August 6, Sudan’s delegate to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idris, told the U.N. Security Council that the Adre crossing had been used to smuggle equipment, weapons, and fuel under the cover of humanitarian aid for the benefit of the RSF.
The Sudanese army has accused the United Arab Emirates of fueling the conflict by providing military supplies to the RSF through Chad.