Reportage
Chad: 9 years after its official closure, the border with the Central African Republic remains porous in Goré
Audio 01:23
At the Goré market, not far from the Central African border, it is not uncommon to see trucks loaded with goods arriving despite the official closure of the border.
(Illustrative image) © Getty Images/Martin Barraud
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The border between Chad and the Central African Republic has been closed for nine years.
In April 2014, faced with accusations from Bangui implicating Ndjamena in the unstable situation that the Central African Republic was then experiencing, the late President Idriss Déby decided unilaterally to close his border with his southern neighbor.
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With our correspondent, back from Goré,
Madjiasra Nako
Since April
2014, the border between the two countries has remained closed
, despite diplomatic initiatives on the Central African side.
However, the Chadian authorities ended up making exceptions.
At the Goré market, not far from the Central African border, it is not uncommon to see trucks loaded with goods arriving despite the official closure of the border.
How is it possible ?
“
We have officially closed the border, but we cannot close it hermetically.
There are two corridors that are open, one in Goré and another in Baïbokoum to still allow a flow between people
, ”explains Ngana Djékila, secretary general of the province of Logone Oriental, near the Central African border.
Those who wish to cross from one side to the other must show their credentials and above all pay, as explained by this economic operator who requested anonymity.
“
The wood crosses, even vehicles loaded with bags of sesame cross.
And from Chad, the goods also go to the Central African Republic.
As we know, you have to give something to the authorities and they let you go
,” he says.
Certain products such as cereals and fuel are prohibited from export.
But on the ground, it's a different story, gasoline and diesel costing three times more expensive in the Central African Republic, as evidenced by this inhabitant.
“The fuel is smuggled into the CAR when it is prohibited. Because of this, we economic operators are suffering to the point where even here, in Goré, a liter of gasoline has risen to
1,000 francs [or 1.52 euros, editor's note]
,” he says.
The secretary general of the province of Logone Oriental says he has not been informed of these actions.
►Also read: Chad closes its border with CAR for security reasons
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