The Chadian government just ordered the closure of border with Sudan and declares a state of emergency. Information was announced Sunday by Head of State Idriss Déby Itno (pictured).

This measure followed inter-community clashes, between breeders and farmers, which killed about 109 people in the past weeks. The “disastrous” situation is due to entry of guns from neighboring Sudan into the border region where weapons are cheap and quite easy to access. It reflects the upsurge in inter-community conflicts in West Africa, which has escalated the current security crisis in the region.

A few months ago, the Chadian President announced the deployment of several troops in an effort to restore security and avoid “letting armed conflicts escalate.” “Inter-community conflicts must not last. I will personally deal with this issue,” said Idriss Déby, according to Xinhua.

The state of emergency should include the provinces of Sila and Ouaddaï, and last three months.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou