President Marien Ngouabi of the People's Republic of the Congo met Chad's President Francois Tombalbaye in Fort Lamy on Thursday (13 January) during an unexpected 24-hour visit to the capital. Officials in Brazzaville said the two leaders were to talk on reinforcing relations between the two countries. It was reported, however, that President Ngouabi, who is current Chairman of the Central African Customs Union (UDEAC) was going to try and persuade Chad to rejoin.

At the end of the meeting, President Ngouabi said that in spite of Chad's departure from UDEAC, relations between Chad and the organisation were firm and friendly.