(Business in Cameroon) - The situation seems to have calmed down between Chadian and Cameroonian authorities regarding recent tensions over the management of the oil and gas pipeline the two countries share.

In a visit to N’Djamena, the Cameroonian Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, declared yesterday the end of the diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

“We have talked with Chadian authorities. All the issues have been addressed and the misunderstandings cleared up,” said the official who was sent by President Paul Biya to hand over a sealed envelope to General Mahamat Deby Itno. Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh's visit to Chad comes after the country called its ambassador to Cameroon back home "for consultation". This move, taken on April 20, corresponds with the highest level of protest in diplomatic matters. It follows tensions between the two countries over the management of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. This 1,070-km infrastructure, more than 900 km of which is on the Cameroonian territory, allows Chad to channel 100% of its oil production to the international market.

Tensions started after the Chadian government, in an April 20 statement, expressed its dissatisfaction with the recent developments in the management of the pipeline. The country found it unfair that the Cameroonian national hydrocarbons company (SNH) and the British Savannah Energy signed an agreement under which SNH will acquire 10% of Savannah Midstream’s (subsidiary of Savannah Energy) shares in Cameroon Oil Transportation Company (Cotco). N'Djamena said this agreement reflects a new rapprochement between Cameroon and its "enemy," especially since they pledged in their agreement to "support each other".

Chadian authorities also denounced “unfriendly actions" by Cameroon during Cotco's board meetings, and the blocking by Cameroon of a deal between N’Djamena and another project partner, Petronas.

Translated by Firmine AIZAN

Written in French by CJ