What killing of Chadian president means for Egypt

Mohammed Magdy

Apr 25, 2021

Mahamat Idriss Deby pays his respects to his slain father — Mahamat Idriss Deby pays his respects near the coffin during the state funeral for his father, Chadian President Idriss Deby, in N'Djamena, on April 23, 2021. Chad staged a state funeral for its slain president, a linchpin in the fight against the Sahel's jihadi insurgency, as France and regional allies voiced backing for his son and successor. The elder Deby, who had ruled the vast semi-desert state with an iron fist for 30 years, died April 19 from wounds suffered fighting rebels. — CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

CAIRO — The April 19 death of Chadian President Idriss Deby has raised Egyptian concerns about new security and political challenges Egypt might face in the African Sahel region, as Cairo and N'Djamena have close security relations.

Cairo did not make any official comment on the latest developments in Chad, except for a telegram of condolences from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. However, the Egyptian media and analysts close to the government expressed their fear of turmoil in Chad.