The urgent need to reinforce bilateral ties between Chad and Cameroon and the acceleration of sub-regional integration in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC, was at the centre of the 24 hour friendly and working visit of the President of Chad, Idriss Deby Itno to Yaounde on thursday December 29, 2011. A prolonged working session at the Unity Palace between both Heads of State and their close collaborators, a State banquet by 4 pm that saw both leaders make toasts for the strengthening of relations between both countries helped in revealing some of the substance of the visit.

Slated for one hour, the working session that began at 1:15 p.m. took 2:44 minutes – an indication of the intensity in friendly ties between President Deby and Biya, as well as the strong bilateral relations between both countries. Before the Unity Palace luncheon, the Ministers of Posts and Telecommunications of Chad and Cameroon signed an accord for the optical fibre interconnection between both countries as the Heads of State of Cameroon and Chad watched on. The Head of State also offered his guest a bronze carving as souvenir.

Talking about the optical fibre accord in his toast, President Deby recalled the 1,010km Chad-Cameroon pipeline and other development projects grouping both countries as a sign of their exemplary friendship which other CEMAC countries should emulate. The Chadian leader said the Ngaoundere-N’Djamena railway line announced by President Paul Biya earlier on in his speech could be extended to Sudan so that both countries will link the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea.

He also recalled numerous assistance provided by Cameroon, under the leadership of President Paul Biya, to Chad saying Cameroon has continued to be useful to his country in times of difficulties. He said such support is mutually beneficial to Cameroonians and Chadians. The Chadian leader reiterated his congratulations to President Biya for his re-election as Head of State in Cameroon and said it indicated that Cameroonians are aware of the major projects which President Biya has continued to carry out in the country.

The Chadian leader equally insisted on the revival of the Chad-Cameroon Mixed Commission on Trans-Border criminality and the need to save Lake Chad waters from disappearing. Idriss Deby Itno pointed out that the high rate of cross-border criminality between Chad and Cameroon is making life uncomfortable for the populations of both countries. On the other hand, the Lake Chad waters that keep diminishing, he said, constitute a threat to several people in Chad and Cameroon. He noted the geographic, historic and cultural ties that bind Cameroon and Chad saying both countries have a lot to gain by working together.

Talking earlier, President Paul Biya appreciated the increasing ties between Chad and Cameroon. He urged other CEMAC member countries to follow their example. President Biya said there were prospects for energy and communication projects to reinforce their economic partnerships.

By 6:15 p.m. when President Idriss Deby Itno left the Unity Palace, the warmth in relations between both Statesmen was evident.