Chadian and Sudanese troops clashed in Darfur 9 April, first battle between armies amid rising tensions. 17 Sudanese, 9 Chadian soldiers and many rebels reported killed. After denials, Chad admitted crossing border “in pursuit” of rebels: said wants peace but will defend against rebels and Janjaweed militias crossing into Chad. Libya and Eritrea reportedly deployed border observers to lower tensions, defuse calls for UN force in eastern Chad. Death toll up to 400 in 31 March attacks on villages in eastern Chad by Sudanese and local Janjaweed militia aided by Chadian rebels.

N’Djamena said Sudanese warplanes bombed near eastern towns of Tenay and Bahai 22 March, killing several and violating non-aggression pact signed late February. UN Security Council considering options following Chad’s February rejection of UN military force.

Number of displaced rose to 120,000 due to surge in violence along Chad-Sudan border; human rights groups warned Chad military focus on rebels in Darfur renders civilians vulnerable to further attack. UNSG Ban Ki-moon recommended 11,000 strong UN deployment to Chad 20 February, supported by UNSC, as Sudanese President Bashir continued to stall on strengthened UN presence in Darfur. N'Djamena reportedly backed off support for UN military mission in favour of “civilian force”. Chad, Sudan and CAR pledged at Cannes Franco-African summit 22 February to reduce border violence and end support for opposition rebels.

Fighting between disparate rebel groups and government continued in east. UN considering peacekeeping force for Chad and CAR after investigative team sent mid-January; said would only be protection force and would not intervene in conflict. Chadian Union of Forces for Democracy and Development rebels targeted by government airstrikes 24 January in border town of Ade; military claimed 20 rebels killed, aid workers forced to flee.

Heavy fighting continued. Temporary capture of Abeche late November/early December by Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) rebels marked largest rebel victory to date. Major battle reported 9 December between government and UFDD near eastern town of Biltine: rebels claimed 300 government troops and 50 rebels killed; government denied significant casualties. United Front for Democratic Change (FUC) leader Mahamat Nour Abdelkarim broke with other rebel groups to sign peace deal with President Idriss Deby 24 December. Pact to be implemented over 3 months, reportedly gives amnesty to FUC members, integration into military, facilitation of refugee return and gives other groups 1 month to sign on. Remaining rebel groups including UFDD dismissed talks and promised further attacks. Sudan-based Janjaweed militia blamed by government for attacking 2 villages in east 19 December; 40 killed including 20 civilians.

Violence in east increased dramatically, with state of emergency declared 13 November. Gunmen killed 220 villagers in east; over 60 villages attacked in month. MSF aid worker also killed and over 3,000 IDPs reported missing following incident near Koloy 100km northeast of Goz Beida 16/17 November. Sudanese-backed rebels briefly captured key eastern town of Abeche 25 November. Government forces retook it following day, but rebels claimed to be 200km from N’djamena and closing. UN aid agencies evacuated non-essential staff and set up HQ in Cameroon after Abeche supplies looted. Security concerns prevented UN fact-finding team from visiting eastern Chad to consider options for deployment of monitoring mission or peacekeeping force.

Darfur-based Chadian rebels launched major new offensive in eastern Chad, most serious since April attack on N’djamena: took town of Goz Beida, 420 miles from capital, 22 October; heavy fighting near Sudanese border 29 October killed Chadian army chief, with both sides claiming victory. Government continued to blame Khartoum for arming rebels, while latter accused Chad of supporting rebel groups in Darfur. Sudanese militia killed at least 40 people in attacks on Chadian villages mid-October; AMIS reported 3 villages destroyed by Arab Militia suspected to be Janjaweed. Humanitarian situation deteriorated with increasingly limited access and increased refugee inflows from Darfur.

Fighting escalated between government and rebels in eastern Chad allied to Mahamat Nour’s FUCD. Government reportedly resumed offensive 10 September, ending lull that had prevailed since rebels expelled from N’Djamena in April. Army chief claimed 168 rebels killed in major operation 13 September around Aram Kolle; FUCD claimed hundreds of soldiers killed in same operation. UN and aid agencies expressed concern about military build-up around Abeche.

Full restoration of diplomatic relations with Sudan after surprise attendance of Sudanese President Bashir at President Déby’s third-term inauguration. N’Djamena cut ties in April after alleged Sudanese support for rebel coup attempt. Government announced arrest of 3 JEM rebel leaders and handed them to AU, in keeping with July agreement with Khartoum. Déby launched commission to renegotiate terms of oil consortium, seeking greater share for new national company, after ordering Chevron and Petronas, who together hold 60% stake, to leave Chad over tax disagreements. N’Djamena also restored relations with Beijing 7 August ending decade of relations with Taipei.

Relations between Sudan and Chad improved with 26 July agreement to stop hosting each other’s rebel forces and plans for Dakar summit in August. Security situation in east worsened as government forces continued to clash with rebels. Main opposition boycotted National Dialogue, launched by government to smooth differences with opposition, after rebels not invited.