Khartoum, August 27 (Darfur24)
The United States has condemned recent airstrikes inside Chadian territory, accusing the Sudanese army of carrying them out and warning against the spillover of Sudan’s war into neighboring countries.
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry rejected the accusation, calling for an independent investigation into the attacks.
The US position follows escalating tensions along the Sudan-Chad border that began on August 20, when Chadian authorities said aircraft and drones believed to belong to the Sudanese army or its allies bombed a convoy of vehicles in the eastern Ennedi region, more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.
The US president’s envoy for Middle East and Africa affairs said Washington had discussed the airstrikes with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, expressing concern that the Sudanese conflict could spread across the border and threaten regional stability.
Washington called on the warring parties to agree to an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access. It also urged the UN Security Council to ensure that the arms embargo and sanctions regime reflect the current dynamics of the conflict and hold accountable those responsible for fuelling and expanding the war.
The US envoy also stressed Chad’s important role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Darfur and hosting Sudanese refugees, while calling for an end to external financial and military support to Sudan’s warring parties.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said it was monitoring what it described as “statements and allegations” concerning an alleged Sudanese attack on Chadian territory. It reaffirmed Khartoum’s respect for Chad’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and border security.
The ministry criticized what it called the “categorical attribution” of responsibility to the Sudanese Armed Forces before a professional and independent investigation had been conducted.
It said the army was carrying out its duty to defend Sudan while respecting the sovereignty of neighboring states and refraining from targeting their territories.
Separately, the ministry accused Ethiopia of allowing drone attacks against Sudanese territory, referring to attacks it said occurred on Thursday morning. It claimed to possess “conclusive evidence” supporting the allegation.
The ministry called on international actors to exercise accuracy and objectivity and avoid adopting incomplete narratives. It stressed Sudan’s commitment to stable relations with Chad and Ethiopia and called for border and security issues to be addressed through dialogue and direct coordination.
Tensions along the Sudan-Chad border have intensified in recent days following fighting in the Wadi Hawr desert between the Rapid Support Forces and a joint force allied with the Sudanese army, alongside Chadian allegations that its territory was targeted in airstrikes linked to the Sudanese conflict.