‘We will Miss his Bold Leadership’: Netanyahu Mourns Death of Chadian President Idriss Deby

21 April, 2021   |   3 years ago

Jerusalem, 21 April, 2021 (TPS) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his “deepest condolences” to the people of Chad on the passing of President Idriss Déby.

Chad’s military stated Tuesday that Deby, 68, died of wounds sustained during a visit to the front lines in the country’s north where government troops are battling rebels.

“We will miss his bold leadership and always remember his historic decision to renew Chad’s relationship with Israel,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu published the statement in Israel as well.

Muslim-majority Chad, a central Africa nation, cut diplomatic ties with Jerusalem in 1972 after a decade of good relations and cooperation.

Israel and Chad renewed their diplomatic ties in November 2018, 46 years after they were cut off, as Chad’s President Idriss Deby met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, the first Chadian president in history to make the visit.

Chad is one of several African countries to examine and renew diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. It was the first Muslim country in the region to launch a process of normalization with Israel, a step that later marked the path for more countries.

Netanyahu met in Jerusalem in September 2020 with Chad Cabinet Chairman Abdelkerim Deby, the son of the late Chadian President Idriss Deby.

Netanyahu with him the appointment of ambassadors and the opening of representations, including the possibility of opening an embassy in Jerusalem.

Chad would become the first African country to open its embassy to Jerusalem if it did so.

Israel Hayom reported that Jerusalem believes that Muhammad Kaka, Deby’s son and successor, will continue in his father’s footsteps and maintain the normalization process with Israel.