Nigeria, April 22 -- Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Chad's former president, Idriss Deby, survived many coup attempts, including one that reached his doorstep before his blushes were spared by French troops.

But the strongman, who ruled Chad for over 30 years and was known as the "Great Survivor," was not lucky this time. He died from injuries sustained in fighting with rebel groups Tuesday, a day after he won sixth term reelection, an army spokesperson said.

Yet the rebels are not backing down. They have threatened to press their offensive into the capital N'Djamena, leaving neighbouring countries like Nigeria reeling in uncertainty over the security of the Sahel region.

This has startled world leaders who have been careful ...