Idriss Deby, President of Chad in Yaounde today

President Biya is hosting Chadian leader Idriss Debyis today, Thursday May 22, in Unity Palace. The move by Biya to invite Deby to Yaounde has been interpreted as a bait to woo the Chadian leader into cooperating in Biya’s Paris declaration of war on Boko Haram.

The visit was not made public until state radio and television yesterday in successive newscasts announced Deby’s visit. According to state television, Deby’s presidential Jet would touch down on the tar-mark of the Yaounde International Airport at exactly 11 a.m.


It is supposed that Biya and his guest would for one day discuss both military and diplomatic strategies on how to clamp down on the deadly Islamist terrorist group.


Biya had on May 17 in a meeting that brought together leaders of France, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Benin and Niger as well as representatives of Britain, the US and the European Union, openly declared war on Boko Haram. The Chadian leader was quick to concur with Biya and the Cameroonian leader may have picked an ally in Deby – which informs his invitation to Yaounde.


Biya’s statement came barely 24 hours after militants of the sect seized Waza Park in the Far North region, killing one soldier, kidnapping as many as ten workers of Chinese nationality working on a road project linking Dabanga in the Logone et Chari division and Mora in the Mayo Sava division.

The Paris concert may have brought new found love between Biya and Deby. Until recently, the two have been at loggerheads particularly over political issues in the sub region.


Biya is known to have recently rejected an appeal from Deby to help Central African Republic rebel leader Djotodia to consolidate his hold on power before he was ousted by popular uprising.


In a similar incident, Biya equally refused to hand over dethroned C.A.R leader, Francois Bozize to the coup plotter; much against the wish of Deby. Today’s meeting could be the beginning of a new relationship between the two leaders.