Idriss Déby

Turkey is prepared to boost defense and security cooperation with Chad as the African nation faces terrorists and other armed groups, the Turkish president said on Oct. 27.

Chad's president, Idriss Deby, who ruled his country for more than 30 years and was an important Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in Africa, was killed on April 19 in a battle against rebels in the north, authorities said.

The Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum, hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Economy and African Union with the coordination of DEİK and the contribution of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, was held in Istanbul between Nov. 2 and 3. 

Chad reintroduced the death penalty just six months after its abolition on July 30, as legislators passed a stringent anti-terror bill in the face of a spate of deadly Boko Haram attacks.

After suffering two suicide bombings in a month, including one in a bustling market in the capital N'Djamena, Chad has beefed up security in recent weeks.    

The head of Boko Haram -- the enigmatic Abubakar Shekau -- has openly taunted the countries being menaced by the armed Islamist group as they call for a united effort to crush it.