Adré, March 11 (Darfur24)
The Adré border crossing between Sudan and Chad witnessed severe congestion on Wednesday after authorities briefly opened it, prompting large numbers of traders and truck drivers to rush to cross before security forces intervened to disperse the crowds, leaving several drivers injured, according to eyewitnesses and local sources.
The chaos followed the crossing’s opening for only a limited number of hours before it was closed again.
Eyewitnesses and drivers transporting goods between the two countries told Darfur24 that dozens of traders and transport vehicle owners, including trucks loaded with goods, gathered at the crossing hoping to pass during the short operating window.
Sources said tensions escalated shortly after movement began when Chadian security forces attempted to disperse the crowds and force them to retreat following the decision to close the crossing again, leading to clashes between some drivers and security personnel.
Several drivers reported that some security personnel used whips during the dispersal, resulting in injuries, while others said they were subjected to verbal abuse.
One truck driver said they had been waiting for days for the crossing to open, noting that many freight transporters rely on these trips for their daily income. He added that the brief opening followed by the sudden closure sparked anger among drivers and traders.
A trader, who requested anonymity, said security forces initially tried to regulate movement after the number of horse-drawn carts and “tuk-tuks” increased near the crossing, but the forceful dispersal escalated tensions.
Several cart owners also reported damage to their vehicles and injuries to horses during the stampede that occurred as drivers were pushed away from the area.
The Adré crossing is one of the main border points between Sudan and Chad, serving as a key route for trade, the transport of food supplies, and the movement of civilians, particularly amid worsening humanitarian conditions in border areas since the outbreak of war in Sudan.