IGOTE — At least 42 people were killed and 10 wounded in clashes between two families over a water point in the village of Igote in eastern Chad on Saturday. The dispute escalated into a cycle of reprisals that spread beyond the village in Wadi Fira province, near the border with Sudan, prompting an army intervention.

The injured were evacuated to the provincial health center. The military response helped contain the violence, and the situation is now under control, according to a spokesperson.

Chad's Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat announced the launch of a customary mediation process in Igote, along with judicial proceedings to determine criminal responsibility. Mahamat said the government would take all necessary measures to prevent destabilization of the border area.

Intercommunal clashes over resources are common in Chad. Last year, clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad left 42 people dead and burned several homes.

Chad's eastern provinces have been hosting refugees fleeing the war in Sudan for several months and are facing increasing pressure on resources and security. Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees have crossed the border into Chad since the conflict began.

In February, Chad closed its border with Sudan until further notice. The closure aimed to limit the spread of conflict into Chadian territory after multiple crossings by fighters from warring Sudanese factions.

The war in Sudan has killed more than 40,000 people, according to United Nations figures, and has forced over 14 million people to flee their homes. The conflict has also contributed to disease outbreaks and pushed parts of Sudan into famine.