Khartoum: Sudan's government announced on Wednesday the extension of the Adre border crossing's opening with Chad for an additional three months to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the country. The Foreign Ministry stated that the crossing will be accessible to international relief organizations' humanitarian convoys from January 1 through March 31, 2026.
According to Anadolu Agency, this extension highlights Sudan's commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need throughout the country. The ministry emphasized that this decision demonstrates goodwill in facilitating humanitarian operations and coordinating with relief organizations operating in Sudan, adhering to international humanitarian law and national regulations.
The ministry also urged friendly and partner countries, along with humanitarian organizations, to expedite the delivery of critically needed assistance to civilians. Previously, all shipments through the Adre crossing were banned on July 25, 2024, due to allegations that the route was being used to smuggle weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF did not publicly address these accusations at the time.
Sudan initially reopened the crossing on August 15, 2024, for three months to allow humanitarian aid access for those affected by the ongoing war, following a request from the United Nations. This decision was subsequently extended through December 31, 2025. The United Nations has warned of deteriorating famine conditions in Sudan's western Darfur region, especially affecting displaced populations in the city of El-Fasher.
In the ongoing conflict, the RSF controls all five states of the Darfur region, except for parts of North Darfur under army control. The Sudanese army holds most areas in the remaining 13 states across the south, north, east, and center, including the capital, Khartoum. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.