The Congo-Kinshasa and the Congo-Brazzaville are to restore diplomatic relations on December 15. This was announced to Wednesday (14 November) after President Marien Ngouabi flew from Brazzaville for talks with President Josef Mobutu at his Mount Stanley residence.

The two Congos broke off relation is October 1968 after the execution of the Kinshasa rebel leader, Pierre Mulele. He had returned from Brazzaville in the belief that he had been pardoned.

President Ngouabi arrived at Mount Stanley by helicopter after flying across the Congo River, the border between the two countries. He was accompanied by his Prime Minister, M. Alfred Raoul, and Foreign Minister, M. Auxence Ickonga.

After preliminary talks at Mount Stanley, the party left from the Presidential estate at N'Sele, where the negotiations were resumed.

President Mobut said later that the two countries would seek ways to increase traffic across the Congo River. All traffic between the two capitals was suspended last November after friction between the two countries. As a result of talks last June the ban was relaxed to allow visit across the river on one day a week. Now it is hoped that normal traffic will be resumed by January 1.

Before leaving, President Ngoubai said that the two countries has also agreed to promote economic co-operation.

On Thursday, Congo-Kinshasa's Supreme Court proclaimed General Mobutu as President for a further term after his victory in the recent election.