Um Dafuq, July 09 (Darfur24)
Authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR), backed by Russian forces, have closed the border with Sudan after recapturing the town of Am Dafok from rebel forces. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also shut the crossing on the Sudanese side, halting movement between the two countries.
Al-Tahir Ibrahim, a resident of Sudan’s Um Dafuq, told Darfur24 that several Sudanese were injured while attempting to cross from the Central African Republic into Sudan for shopping. He did not specify the number of casualties or the nature of their injuries.
He added that the RSF closed the Sudanese crossing and barred civilians from traveling into the Central African Republic.
Thousands of Sudanese traders and pastoralists rely on the border for trade, movement and humanitarian access. The route has become increasingly important since war erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF in April 2023, cutting off many roads linking Darfur with northern, central and eastern Sudan.
Two days ago, the Central African Armed Forces announced they had regained control of Am Dafok in Vakaga province after rebels briefly seized the town.
In a statement, the army said the attackers used the conflict in Sudan to establish rear bases near the border before crossing into Central African territory. It claimed the fighters later retreated into Sudan and are now based in border areas, where they blend in with the civilian population. The military said it is closely monitoring the situation.