Chad–Turkey relations

Turkish-Chadian relations
Map indicating locations of Chad and Turkey

Chad
Turkey

Chad–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Chad and Turkey. Neither country had a resident embassy before a Turkish Embassy opened in N’Djamena on 1 March 2013, and a Chadian one in Ankara on 10 December 2014.[1] Turkey recognized the independence of Chad on August 11, 1960 and established diplomatic relations on January 27, 1960.[2]

Historical Relations

Turkey had long-standing cultural, ethnic and religious ties with Chad, especially with northern Chad.[3] Through the 1980s and 1990s, both Turkey's and Chad's foreign policy was pro-Western in the 1980s,[4] united in the belief that the spread of communism posed a threat to the world.[4]

During the 1980s[5] and 1990s, Turkey and Chad had limited economic ties[6] but the drought in the early 1990s brought Turkish aid to Chad, including agricultural, medical and technical supplies.[7]

Relations were limited until early 2010s because of Chad's landlocked status and limited air transport service.[3] Following the opening of Turkish and Chadian embassies on March 1, 2013 and December 10, 2014 respectively, bilateral relations gained momentum.[2]

In 2020, however, relations between two countries have soured, after Chadian President Idriss Déby denounced Turkish role in the second Libyan conflict and sent nearly 2,000 soldiers to assist Khalifa Haftar, who is Turkey's foe in the conflict.[8]

Presidential Visits

Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit
Chad President Idriss Déby Turkey President Süleyman Demirel Çankaya Köşkü, Ankara April 27–30, 2000[2]
Chad Prime minister Kalzeubet Pahimi Deubet Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Çankaya Köşkü, Ankara January 28, 2015[2]
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Chad President Idriss Déby Presidential Palace, N'Djamena December 26, 2017[2]
Chad President Idriss Déby Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Presidential Complex, Ankara February 26–28, 2019[2]

Economic Relations

  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$72.4 million in 2019 (Turkish exports/imports: 39.9/32.5 million USD).[2]
  • Turkish Airlines began direct flights from Istanbul to N’Djamena on December 12, 2013.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Relations Between Türkiye and Chad", Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Relations between Turkey and Chad". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  3. ^ a b Cowell, Alan. "The Bitter Life of Chad," New York Times Magazine, September 4, 1983, pp. 24, 26, 28-31.
  4. ^ a b Rondos, Alex. "Civil War and Foreign Intervention in Chad," Current History, 84, No. 502, May 1985, pp. 209-12, 232.
  5. ^ Decalo, Samuel. Historical Dictionary of Chad. (2d ed.) Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press, 1987.
  6. ^ Gibour, Jean. "Le conflit du Tchad," Defense nationale [Paris], June 1985, pp. 127-38.
  7. ^ Decalo, Samuel. Historical Dictionary of Chad. (2d ed.) Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press, 1997.
  8. ^ "Chad to send 1,500 troops to Libya in support of Marshal Haftar".