Africa from forever has experienced numerous varieties of conflicts ranging from cultural confrontations to interstate wars. The thought of war still performs a veritable role in the post colonial Africa as well as in the international politics. A knowledge of the situation in Africa has demonstrated that almost all of these wars have been fought on the African soils and have had devastating results on the continent and the earth at large. Types of these wars include Rwanda, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Shoreline and just to name a few. These wars have greatly damaged the African continent especially the countries involved as it offers reduced the economies of these countries to nothing but a shadow on their own. It is apparent that most of these wars are occurred however in the developing countries and for that reason leaves one with the question, whether the wars is seen as a consequence of poverty or is poverty the result of war? To my estimation, war is not really a solution to conflict taking a look at the aftermath of the battle, the vulnerabilities of the ladies and children, the political and monetary imbalance of the states. In this particular light, the international community should seek ways of preventing the outbreak of such wars especially in the expanding countries.
In this newspaper, I will analyzed the outbreak of 1 of the conflict in Africa that could have escalated to a complete scale military turmoil between two countries, possessed it not been settled in a distinctive showcase of issue management by the UN. The conflict involved is the Cameroon vs. Nigeria state of sovereignty in the potentially oil wealthy Bakassi peninsula, which almost trigger to a interstates battle and sends dread and uncertainty over the two nations. B. G. Ramcharan details the role played out by the former UN Secretary Standard, Kofi Annan in preserving peace between your Republic of Cameroon and the Government Republic of Nigeria and in settling the dispute over the Bakassi peninsula, '' another attractive story of conflict prevention at the job in practice''. The signing of the Green Tree Contract by both countries enabled both countries to stick to the ruling transferred by the International Courtroom of Justice (ICJ), officially put to an end to the Nigeria profession of the peninsula and lastly resulted in the peaceful handover of the occupied areas by the Nigeria military to Cameroon. President Obasanjo Olusegun of Nigeria clearly described the way the conflict was completed in the following words:
Our contract today is a great achievement of issue prevention, which nearly displays its cost-effectiveness in comparison with the alternative of conflict resolution. . . its relevance, therefore, goes much beyond Nigeria and Cameroon. It will stand for a model for the image resolution of similar issues in Africa, and I dare say, to the globe most importantly.
For most conflicts especially in Africa, has been therefore of natural resources and the politics play by the international community because of their own interest which more regularly has energy the violent conflicts. I am going to seek to investigate in this newspaper the historical qualifications of the contested area resulting in the outbreak of hostilities. It will be follow suit with the underlying causes of the conflicts in part 4 and part five will shed more lamps how the conflict was solved at the level of the ICJ and handled at the UN following a execution of the famous Green-Tree Accord agreed upon by both countries. While part six will focus on on the conclusion with the way forward of making certain both countries respect the terms of the green-Tree Agreement and the initial showcase of turmoil management and image resolution achieved.
2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Bakassi peninsula can be an island located across the eastern end of the Gulf of Guinea between latitudes 820' and 908'E. The region is greatly composed of a low-lying, mangrove and swampy area with a population of around 150, 000 to 300, 000 inhabitants, by 2005. The island is highly inhabited with the indigenous people of the Efik tribe, that they claimed to participate in the Government Republic of Nigeria. The peninsula is a veritable floor for fishing activities and other maritime wildlife activities, for the easy proven fact that two great ocean currents meet here that is the cold Benguela Current and the warm Guinea Current, has really made it possible for fishing activities to be the livelihood of the inhabitants.
The historical backdrop of the peninsula goes back to the colonial period after the arrival of the Western european colonial get good at to Nigeria in the middle of the 19th Century, the Ruler of the Old Calabar kingdom joined into a treaty of Protection with the Queen of Britain on Sept 10, 1884. The place covering this region was at this time under the control of the Ruler of the Old Calabar Kingdom. So in putting your signature on this treaty, this means he has officially ceded the territory to the British isles as a protectorate. In this respect, Britain was absolve to carry out any activity and similarly exercised whatever she deems fit in the territory.
The say of sovereignty of the Bakassi peninsula is among the numerous issues in Africa concerning border disputes. This however, should maintain some extent put on the shoulders of the previous colonial masters who partitioned Africa without taking into concerns of the ethnic groupings, geography and demography of the area, history, terms and socio-cultural affiliations of folks. This has really hampered the integrity and sovereignty of all countries in Africa, as most often folks from the same ethnic grouping happen to found themselves on two different colonial territories and governed by different colonial powers.
The historical track record of the Bakassi peninsula can be tracked back during the era of colonialism. The Germans were the first colonial get better at to colonized Cameroon not until the outbreak of the First World Battle in 1914, which noticed the defeat of the Germans by the French and English in Cameroon. Before the outbreak of the First World Warfare, the European power having colonial territories were essentially interested in obtaining their interests instead of the colonial people they stated they were civilizing. A country like Germany were only interested in obtaining for itself the huge territorial waters to keep the large amount of shrimps and other maritime animals within this water for herself. To avoid turmoil of interest amidst the colonial power, Germany enter an arrangement with the Uk who were at this time the colonial get good at of Nigeria, restricting Britain's expansion to the east, while Britain on the other palm required an undisturbed and free sea passage to Calabar, which was an important commercial seaport in eastern Nigeria. This arrangement was later code name the Anglo - German Arrangement of 1913, which obviously defined the exact demarcation of the edges between Cameroon and Nigeria. The first part of the treaty entitled: ''The Negotiation of the Frontier between Cameroon and Nigeria, from Yola to the Sea, '' obviously situate the place of Bakassi under the jurisdiction of the Germans. The second part entitled: ''The Rules of Navigation on the Combination River, '' positioned the ''navigable portion'' of the offshore border of the Bakassi peninsula to Britain. Article 21 of the Anglo-German Treaty of 1913, which stipulates the precise position of the boundary:
From the centre of the navigable channel on a brand subscribing to Bakassi Point and Ruler Point, the boundary shall follow the centre of the navigable channel of the Akwayafe River so far as the 3-mile limit of territorial jurisdiction. For the intended purpose of determining this boundary, the navigable route of the Akwayafe River shall be considered to rest wholly to the east of the navigable channel of the Mix and Calabar Streams.
This however, proves that from 1913, after the putting your signature on of the Anglo-German Treaty and onwards, British and German maps obviously show the Bakassi peninsula in Cameroon.
Following the remarkable twist of event which found the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the French and the English decided to extend the warfare in German colonial territories in Africa, targeted at struggling with the Germans in their African colonial territories. By the end of the warfare, Germany lost all her colonies in Africa including Cameroon to the allied capabilities. Cameroon was ruled as a mandated territory under the Little league of Countries and later partitioned in 1919, into two territories on the list of British and People from france. The French needed 4/5 of the territory called France Cameroons and the United kingdom get 1/5 of the territory called British Cameroons. The Franco-British Agreement of July 1919, put the territory of Bakassi and the rest of ''United kingdom Cameroons'' under the mandate of Britain. The English introduced the machine of indirect rule in their place of British isles Cameroons as a fundamental element of Nigeria with respect to the borders contracts laid down in 1913. In 1931, a further arrangement between both power was signed to help expand codify the treaty of 1919.
The two Cameroons that is People from france and British Cameroons were ruled as a mandated territory by France and Britain till the outbreak of the next World War. Along with the collapse of the League of Countries and the next end of the Second World Battle, the mandated territories of the British isles Cameroons and French Cameroons were placed under the United Nations Organization which been successful the League of Countries as Trust Territories. Worthy of note here's that the contract creating these Trusteeship territories re-ratified the Anglo-German treaties of 1913 demarcating the edges between Cameroon and Nigeria. Again maps produced during this period placed Bakassi under the sovereignty of Cameroon.
It should be known here, that the United kingdom Cameroons was split into two parts namely British Northern and British Southern Cameroons respectively, with Bakassi slipping under the competence of Britain Southern Cameroons. In the development for the struggle for freedom in the overdue 1950s across Africa, tensions have grown in the place of United kingdom Cameroons. In the light of this growing tensions for freedom, the US requested Britain to carry out a plebiscite in the territories under her jurisdiction. Uk North Cameroon and English Southern Cameroon were to exercise their protection under the law and willingness concerning which country they wish to join and be 3rd party. A plebiscite was held in British North Cameroons as ''Do you intend to attained self-reliance by subscribing to the Federal government Republic of Nigeria or by getting started with the Republic of Cameroon''. The results of the consequence of the plebiscite was that English North Cameroons voted to achieve independence by becoming a member of the Federal government Republic of Nigeria. The occasions of the politics people and their divided viewpoints made the plebiscite to be postponed in British isles Southern Cameroons. It was only on Feb 11th, 1961, that British isles Southern Cameroons voted to join the already self-employed Republic of Cameroon (past French Cameroons). It should also be noted here that at the point of freedom, Bakassi was a place under the jurisdiction of Cameroon. This is seen from the actual fact that Bakassi itself has 21 polling stations and 73% of the populace voted to be independent by signing up for the Republic of Cameroon. So there is absolutely no gainsaying that Bakassi was and stay a territory in Cameroon.
The Bakassi peninsula can be an area that was of no interest to both nations, as the place has been long overlooked and was not an issue looking again at the afore-mentioned paragraphs. It became a centre point of focus after the alleged finding of olive oil by some overseas experts. As a result of the suspicion that Bakassi have an enormous oil reserve, Nigeria was the first to claim sovereignty of the peninsula and immediately deploy her armed service in the place to tag her presence and possession. This dramatic twist of event gave way for the look again of the Anglo-German Treaty of 1913, which evidently defines and demarcates the maritime edges of the two countries and which both countries accepted it. Inside the wake of this post unbiased period, both countries wanted way of regulating the colonial agreements of 1913, agreed upon by the colonial forces. Leaders of both countries exchanges sessions as can be seen in Apr 1971, the Nigeria Head of State, Basic Gowon accompanied with his collaborators stopped at Cameroon and talk with his Cameroonian counterpart Amadou Ahidjo, in the capital city Yaound, to go over the issue. The results of this getting together with was the signing of the ''Coker-Ngo'' Lines delimiting the "navigable portion" offshore border of the two countries, in so doing reaffirming the 1913 arrangement.
Both Mind of Says were very satisfied with the outcome of the appointment not only after Standard Gowon of Nigeria, experiencing the guidelines from his advisers, reverse the decision attained the assembly. This trigger another meeting as Standard Gowon again paid another stop by at the Chief executive Ahidjo of Cameroon at Maroua city in July 1975, in order to improve the wrongs of the Coker-Ngo Series known in the 1913 contract. Worthy of take note here's that at this point in time, the sovereignty of Bakassi had not been the problem, as the conferences were out to comprehend the colonial edges.
Gowon was overthrown shortly after his stop by at Cameroon in a military coup in July 1975, Standard Murtala Muhammed was the new Head of Talk about of Nigeria and he was very strategic. To be able to hold the support of the Nigeria bulk population, he persuaded them to believe General Gowon has given Bakassi to Cameroon as a reimbursement for the assistance Cameroon performed in the Nigeria Civil War. He goes further to reject the authenticity of the 1971 and 1975 contracts between Gowon and Ahidjo that this hasn't be ratified by the armed forces council. He too was wiped out in a military services coup only a year after and was substituted by Basic Olusegun Obasanjo. What a coincidence here that Chief executive Obasanjo was Nigeria Mind of state during this period and he still re-emerges again as chief executive when hostilities use between the two countries and help brokered serenity by making certain Nigeria police and military withdraw from the territory relative to the Green-Tree Contract of 2006.
3. THE EMERGENCE OF HOSTILITIES
As early on discuss above, the clear known reasons for most violent issue have been natural resources issue, territorial and ethnicity, and political and economic. The case of the Bakassi conflict was because of this of the colonial legacy left out by the colonial capabilities without taking thought of the indigenous people. As also said above the Bakassi peninsula arrived to the lime collection following the alleged breakthrough of huge level of olive oil reserves by some Chinese experts. Cameroon and Nigeria talk about a 1600km long border working from Lake Chad in the north right down to Bakassi in the south and a maritime boundary meandering in to the Gulf of Guinea. It really is worth observed here that with all different borders that Cameroon share with Nigeria, it is only the Bakassi peninsula which has spark tension. This can be seen because of this of the petrol discovery in that area and the water that was a veritable earth for angling.
During the 70s, minimal tensions have been accumulating in the say of ownership of the place. Clashes took place where some real human lives were lost and on, may 16, 1981, the first major form of direct violence happen when the Cameroon National Radio announced that three Nigeria patrol watercraft have violated and got into the Cameroonian territorial waters in Bakassi up to Rio del Rey, and wide open fireplace on the Cameroonian army. This work was widely condemned in Cameroon and in retaliation; five Nigerian soldiers were killed by the Cameroonian soldiers. This incident helped bring a lot of suspicion between the two countries as both countries were accusing the other for creating the occurrence. While Cameroon on their part accused Nigeria that these were exploiting the problem politically by blaming Cameroon for the occurrence, Nigeria on their part, insisted that the occurrence took place across the Akwayafe River. The Nigeria claimed that the occurrence took place at the Akwayafe River means they have not acknowledge the maritime border arranged down at the Anglo-German Treaty of 1913, thus a gross violation. So Cameroon immediately apologizes for the deaths of those five soldiers and guaranteed to pay reparations. This subject was resolved diplomatically and put to rest. But it has brought about the question of sovereignty above the territory.
Things have a dramatic submit the arrival of multi get together politics in Cameroon in the 1990s. Anglophone Cameroonians started out feeling of been marginalized and under-developed. They started requesting their own autonomy and possible Bakassi been a place under the British speaking part of Cameroon was a big concern to the federal government of Cameroon. So there is need to consolidate the entire sovereignty of the place under Cameroon administration.
In order to combat this Anglophone antagonism in Cameroon, the government became so difficult on the Anglophones especially the Nigerians who have been surviving in the Anglophone neighborhoods for many years doing businesses. Through intimidation and high taxes, many Nigeria investors were pressured to leave Cameroon. However the most deliberate incident that fully lead to the occupation of the territory and sends fear of an impending armed service conflict between the two countries happen in Feb 1994. At this time in time, Nigeria acquired deployed 1000 troops to Bakassi on the pretext that they were out to safeguard the Nigerian Dealers and fishermen against the constant Cameroonian Gendarmerie harassment. The deployment of Nigerian soldiers was not pleasant by Cameroon and it eventually use to an open flames from both edges. It led to many casualties and fatalities on civilian human population and soldiers from both countries. Cameroon has lost shut down to 40 military and a lot of its military have been taken as prisoners of battle by Nigeria. It had been this bloody occurrence that prompted Cameroon to seize the ICJ for adjudication. A complaint was filed on March 29, 1994 to the ICJ. Whether due to a feeling of premonition of beat or due to the fact that lots of Nigerians were aware of the Bakassi lie, the Nigeria government criticizes the federal government of Cameroon when planning on taking the matter to the UN. The remarked that they would have prefer the matter be resolved by way of a bilateral negotiations. They go so far as challenging the competence of the ICJ for insufficient jurisdiction in managing the matter.
While the matter was pending at the ICJ, struggling with was still taking place between your two countries. The Nigerian authorities again deploys another 1000 troops in Feb 1996. This last deployment of soldiers was the last major incident that shows sign of your impending full size military battle. The Nigerian military invaded and occupied the territory of Bakassi even though the situation was pending at the ICJ. Record retains it that by May 1996, more than 50 Nigerian military acquired lost their lives and many others taken as prisoners of war corresponding to diplomatic options. One of the most leading African mags, ''The Jeune Afrique has examined the problem by stating that the prerequisite for a major military issue were all within the truth of Bakassi. It travelled further to analyze the strategic economic need for the territory to both countries as a pivotal factor for the reason for the conflict. As tensions persisted to grow on the floor with the armed service occurrence of both countries in the place, the federal government of Cameroon called on the ICJ to institute options to prevent down the fighting. The ICJ immediately asked both countries to avoid the fighting with each other while looking forward to the final ruling on the problem. But that notwithstanding, both countries still keep up with the presence with their military thinking that it might work in their favour for the rightful owner of the territory.
4. THE SOURCES OF THE CONFLICT
The promise of sovereignty above the peninsula between the Republic of Cameroon and the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one the several violent conflicts that contain plagued Africa for an extremely longtime as I pointed out in the preceding chapters. It had been one of the interstate state conflict which could have escalated to a complete blown war if not of the high sense of responsibilities on the parts of the UN similarly and the countries concern on the other palm. The causes of the issue are talked about below.
4. 1. Economic factors
It is noticeable that financial factors might have stemmed in the conflict within the ownership of the territory. If we go back to the Anglo-German Treaty of 1913, we can see that both countries were pretty much not enthusiastic about the region. Nigeria under British rule have surrender the region to the Germans who had been at that time ruling Cameroon. United kingdom Nigeria ceded this territory to the German in 1913, and even after self-reliance, Nigeria still didn't made any lay claim to the place. Cameroon on her behalf part, understood and considers the peninsula as its territory but failed to carry out any development in the region. The government of Cameroon did not put up any administrative framework in the area to indicate that the rule the place. They equally left the place susceptible to the dominating Nigeria indigenous human population to carry out their trading and angling activities across the peninsula with little if any control except the arbitrary taxes collection from folks by the specialists of Cameroon.
This point is to draw out the picture of the peninsula at that time, but things take a dramatic turn when during the overdue 70s and 80s, there is an alleged breakthrough of huge volume of oil reserves around the Rio del Rey area of the peninsula. A good number of overseas multi-national companies have completed surveys in the peninsula and came out with the records that the territory may indeed be a treasure of immeasurable economic value.
The finding of essential oil reserves was not really the only determinant economic factor that almost plunged both countries to a battle. The fact that Bakassi peninsula is situated between two great oceans i. e. the freezing Benguela current and the warm Guinea current, helps it be a veritable surface for fishing. In addition, it harbors a multitude of fishes and other maritime wildlife creatures. According to the internet encyclopedia, the Wikipedia, the fertility of the Bakassi peninsula as a fishing earth is ''equivalent and then Newfoundland in THE UNITED STATES and Scandinavia in Western Europe. It had been because of this of these financial benefits i. e. the chance of potential essential oil reserves and protecting the fishing privileges, that the Germans were so desperate on keeping the peninsula to themselves during the 1913 agreement.
It wouldn't normally be a gainsaying that economic factors attracted the interest of both countries to promise sovereignty of the peninsula, judging from the discovery of engine oil reserves and the sale of angling rights.
4. 2. Political reasons
The Cameroon and Nigeria say of sovereignty over Bakassi also offers a political manoveuvres, i. e. political reasons also added to the issue. It is presumed that the political market leaders of both countries wanted to use Bakassi as a means to divert general public opinion of their individual home countries. This is evident of the fact that there was growing unpopularity of the market leaders of both countries. They wished to shift the general public focus on Bakassi so that their people will just forget about their problems at home when employed in a full scale warfare. Both government authorities have didn't address the economical problems, unemployment, bad governance, bribery and problem, lack of sociable services and the bad Man Rights records they maintain.
Cameroon under Chief executive Amadou Ahidjo's real human rights records was not a good one as he was notorious for the violation of individuals privileges during his time as president. Examples of his bad Man Privileges violation is the getting rid of greater than 25, 000 people through the UPC revolt in the 1960s as reported by Albert Mukong and Mongo Beti. Then emerged President Paul Biya who been successful Ahidjo in 1982 and is still on seat. Under Biya, the current economic climate has faced a severe financial crisis in the middle 80s that found the currency been devalued. The wages of normal civil servants was reduced to about 70% while those of the army was increase, and that is why the army is so faithful to the leader, nor intend to overthrown him in a coup.
On the part of Nigeria, the situation had not been too different from Cameroon, but the visible problem that Nigeria was starting before the go back to civilian rule was the successive military coups that has seen their government authorities from time to time been toppled. In fact, Nigeria holds world's record for the best number of armed forces coups and counter-top coup efforts. These coups have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and military. Looking at her human protection under the law records, practically all the successive governments have had a very bad human privileges record. They are really noted for killing their political opponents, a good example is the assassination of the minority head Ken Saro Wiwa and nine others in November 1995. The unreasonable imprisonment of acclaimed champion of the presidential election of 1992 Moshood Abiola and the situations resulting in his loss of life while in prison still remain an undeniable fact to be told. Even the brutal murder of Abiola's partner made the federal government unpopular.
It very obvious from the above mentioned paragraphs that both Cameroon and Nigeria possessed nothing to drive house with because the government authorities of both countries were facing interior and severe cultural nationalism and economical fallout. They assume that diverting the people's mind into an exterior crisis will continue to work in their mementos. They made their residents to think that Bakassi was worthwhile fighting for i. e. to guard their fatherland.
4. 3. National and people securities
Security issues have been very essential and play an important role in the peninsula, therefore were one of the causes of the case of sovereignty over Bakassi. This is true to the actual fact that during 1884, the principle of Old Calabar authorized a ''Treaty of Security'' ceding the place (Bakassi) to the Britain. Britain thereafter ceded the place during the 1913 Treaty to German Kamerun in order to secure a safe passage to the interface of Calabar and also reassuring the Germans that she will not made any further advancements to the east.
Security in the wider sense could so also be observed in the domain of national security and individuals security. The past been the security of the state's sovereignty and the last mentioned been the security of the citizens. So in this light, both countries were fast to enhance security reasons for the military occupation of the peninsula. Nigeria place says that she invaded Bakassi to safeguard her citizens who have been conducting business and perform sportfishing activities in the area against the constant harassment from the Cameroonian causes, while Cameroon on her behalf part, stated that the apparent reason was to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state as she boasts Nigeria has violated its sovereignty and posed a hazard to her countrywide security.
4. 4. Natural resources
Natural resources have been the cause of several violent issues in the developing countries. The question is can ''natural resources be observed as a curse or a blessing''. That is a territory that was out of the discussion desks of both country, but soon became a bone of contention to the countries soon after the discovery of olive oil reserves or ''dark-colored gold'' as is often refer to in Africa. Many oppressive regimes would want to be in full control of the natural resources. For the actual fact that another border region which is the Lake Chad between Cameroon and Nigeria is gradually disappearing because of over utilized by the neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, DR Congo, Tchad and Equatorial Guinea. Together with the confidence that the Bakassi peninsula is blessed with natural resources such as engine oil and fishes, both countries divert their attention there proclaiming sovereignty.
4. 5. Territorial integrity
The territorial integrity of the peninsula also takes on a very important role for both countries as they believed it was the responsibility of the state of hawaii to safeguard the sovereignty of its territory against any form of external risk from its neighbors. So we can see here that the Bakassi turmoil was an interstates military conflict aim at guarding the sovereignty of the territory as both countries stated. The federal government of Cameroon was as part of your ready to protect and protect the sovereignty of the Bakassi people against an impending military profession from Nigeria. None of them of both countries was ready to let go from the territory, as Nigeria on her part, was sending a warning danger that they are extremely much ready to protect Nigeria people leaving in the area from arbitrarily harassment from the Cameroon Gendarmes and as such guarding the sovereignty of the territory.
4. 6. Socio-cultural aspects
The territory under question was mainly inhabited by the Efik indigenous people who see themselves as owned by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They made about 90% of the populace and wouldn't normally understand why they should be compelled to be governed by Cameroon in case the ruling of the Hague was in favor of Cameroon. That is a territory that is long ignored by the government of Cameroon with no social structure devote location to make it look like a Cameroon territory. Nigeria on the part has built some few institutions in the region and putting up some structures to give life to her people leaving in the area. Nigeria used her large society advantage to lay claim sovereignty of the territory, though the federal government of Cameroon accuses the Nigeria federal that they required benefit of their large home society and thereby copy so many Nigerians to live in the Bakassi peninsula, so that it gives them an top hand in boasting sovereignty of the place.
It may also be justified here that the bulk of the Bakassi populace who stated to be of Nigeria source, were not inclined to lose their place to Cameroon and so urges the Nigeria authorities to go to war if it needs arise. Culturally speaking, we can also notice that the colonial demarcations of the borders done a great deal to the people, once we can find the Efik people on the side of Nigeria speaking the same dialect with the Akwaya people in Cameroon. Both of these tribes have the same cultures, traditional rites and traditional attires during festivities. It cannot be deny here that peoples of the Northwest and Southwest parts of Cameroon have similar ethnicities with the individuals of Benue, Akwa Ibom, Combination River and Taraba areas of Nigeria. So that it is evident that Nigeria centered her state of sovereignty over the territory was because of this of their large society in the area.
5. THE WAY THE CONFLICT WAS RESOLVED AND MANAGED
When Nigerian soldiers violated the Anglo-German Treaty of 1913, by invading the place of Rio del Rey in May 16, 1961, they stated five of their soldiers were killed by the Cameroon troops. So in respond, the Shehu Shagari the president of Nigeria managed to get clear that the Nigerian soldiers weren't on the Rio del Rey territory but on the Akwayafe place and as such demanded an apology from Cameroon for the loss of life soldiers. It can be seen here that both countries resorted to diplomatic means to queue down the growing tensions and somehow the issue was managed. The government of Cameroon made the official apology on July 1981, and promised to pay reparations to Nigeria. This brought the misunderstanding to a finish. But worth noting here, is the fact that Nigeria stated their military were on the Akwayafe river but not on the Rio del Rey river, indicating they indirectly recognized and accept the colonial maritime borders delineated by the 1913 Treaty.
This sought of management and quality of the first major incident of both countries mentioned above had not been going to previous even as see both countries again resurfacing after a decade in a severe armed service conflict, indicating the dynamics of turmoil management and quality have failed initially illustration. After several attacks and counter attacks and in order to avert the constant lost of lives and property and the quest for a lasting calmness, Cameroon decided to take the matter to the UN on March 29, 1994 for arbitration. Cameroon's application to the UN was to ensure that the ICJ evidently defined the maritime edges of both countries.
Nigeria on her behalf part was not comfortable with Cameroon taking the matter to the ICJ, because she possessed wanted that the problem should be fixed bilaterally between both countries. For this reason, Nigeria question the competence of the ICJ, professing that Cameroon possessed backings from the judge as the panel was made up of the president who was from France, and the judges from Britain and Germany, who had been all politically and diplomatically attached to Cameroon than Nigeria under the program of leader Sani Abacha who was unpopular to the international community.
Despite Nigeria stand perspective that Cameroon gets the French backing at the ICJ, but matching to Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the Court, both parties to a conflict must declare their approval to the jurisdiction of the Court before it can recognize an application. Over the 16th June, 1994 Nigeria announced it does not have any objection to the Cameroon's request and the proceedings were bound to just do it.
5. 1. The Court Proceeding
The government of Nigeria as already described in the preceding paragraph, submitted claims and primary objections contesting the authority of the Court docket to arbitrate on the problem. On June 11, 1998, the Courtroom passed its wisdom dismissing seven of Nigeria's preliminary objections and stated that the promises sensitive by Cameroon were admissible.
Worthy to be known here is the truth Equatorial Guinea submitted in an application to intervene in the event on the 30 June, 1999 much less a celebration to the truth but rather to ''defends the legal rights of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in the Gulf of Guinea by all legal means available'' and also to '' inform the court docket of the nature of the rights of Equatorial Guinea that could be affected in case of the promise of the maritime boundary between both countries advanced before the court''.
The court docket was seize of the problem as open public hearings occurred between the 13 and 21 of March 2002. The judge gave its final ruling on the problem of Bakassi on 10th August 2002. Inside a verdict of 13 to 13 votes, it was decided that the sovereignty of Bakassi peninsula does slumber in the hands of Cameroon. Within the light of the, Nigeria was asked to peacefully and without condition withdraw its troops and administrative representatives and in so doing hands ownership of the place to Cameroon within two years. Cameroon on her behalf part, was wanted to withdraw its makes and supervision from territories which in accordance to the decision now participate in Nigeria.
Many Nigerians weren't content with the ruling of the ICJ, as they assert the Cameroon gets the backing of this court that they thought its ruling is 50% International Regulation and 50% politics. So for this reason, they called on their federal government to reject the ruling and when possible to go to war with Cameroon to gain Bakassi peninsula which they assert is Nigeria's territory.
5. 2. The role of the UN and Kofi Annan
The history of the peaceful management and quality of the Cameroon vs. Nigeria promise of the Bakassi peninsula cannot be complete without taking the important role enjoyed by the nice office of the UN, more especially the secretary general Kofi Annan in attaining a peaceful management of the crisis. It was obvious from every viewpoint and looking at the complexicity of the border dispute, that the decision of the courtroom alone cannot have brought a sustainable peacefulness between both countries as neither of these was not ready to forget about its sovereignty state. So while looking forward to the ultimate decision of the judge, the UN Secretary Standard Kofi Annan invited the presidents of both countries Paul Biya of Cameroon and Olusengun Obasanjo of Nigeria for a summit in Paris on 5 September, 2002. The purpose of this summit was to ask both market leaders to commit themselves to value and implement the decision of the courtroom. It was obvious that both countries were more or less willing to accept the court's decision, but none of them have recently come out with a concrete proposal of its own in applying the rulings. So against this backdrop, Kofi Annan created a device to effect the court's decision on the arrangement of both market leaders. The summit was also attended by United States, Britain and France. These countries have been invited by Kofi Annan to support his initiative to broker a sustainable peace and deserving to note is that these countries were trusted by Cameroon and Nigeria.
As earlier mentioned, the common sense of the ICJ was received with stiff amount of resistance from the Nigerian residents, authorities, opposition politics leaders and even the journalists. This band of Nigerians condemns the decision to be incomplete and was predetermined prior to the ruling and only Cameroon. But that notwithstanding, the government of Nigeria accepted the ruling and needed an contract that will ensure calmness with honor. Nigeria resort to the judge judgment by ensuring to make peace in the Bakassi boundary and some other border it share with Cameroon and similarly to respect the nice office of the UN and the international community. At the same time, Cameroonians were celebrating and performing melodies for the success above the Bakassi peninsula.
In his goal to achieve a lasting serenity, Kofi Annan requested both leaders to another seminar assembly in Geneva on Sept 15, 2002. It had been at this assembly that both presidents wanted the UN secretary basic to put in place a Mixed Commission payment of both Cameroon and Nigeria. The Mixed Commission payment was to be chaired by the special rep of the secretary standard, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah from Mauritania, the special representative for Western Africa. He was generally accepted by both leaders. The commission has the primary objective to get ways and modalities of putting into action the court's ruling. Within this light, both countries accepted to recognize lots of self-confidence building procedures. The mandate of the Mixed Commission includes:
Demarcation of the land boundary;
Withdrawal of civil administration, military and authorities makes and the transfer of Specialist;
Eventually demilitarization of the Bakassi peninsula;
Protection of the rights of the damaged population;
Promotion of joint monetary ventures; and
The reactivation of the Lake Chad Payment.
This pave the way for the getting together with of the first Mixed Commission rate which was carry in Yaound the capital city of Cameroon on Dec 1, 2002. To assure the smooth working of the commission rate, two sub-commissions and five working groupings were created during this appointment. The UN also means that a team of experts bottom in the Senegalese capital of Dakar was available to give logistic and technical support to the percentage as well as substantial assist with the sub-commissions and working communities. The commission was likely to meet after every two months alternating between Yaound and Abuja. The fee began effectively by deploying its staff observer group comprises of experts from both countries to the place involved for an interval of one year and they also offers as task to provide a report a month after the handover.
The UN also ensures a contingent of the civilian inhabitants was deploy to the area to keep an eye on and oversee the transfer of authority based on the court ruling and also to see whether the rights of the indigenous people living there have been assured or not.
The UN rating a success here because hardly 2 yrs after, a lots of achievements were realized looking from both countries. The was a higher degree of understanding as both countries for once again exchange new interactions by appointing new ambassadors to both countries. Leader Obasanjo of Nigeria went to Cameroon on July 2004 in one of the Mixed Commission assembly; he reiterated the fact that Nigeria was ever before ready to copy the Bakassi peninsula back again to Cameroon so as to eliminate all the suspicions on offer about the bad purpose of the Mixed Fee.
The Mixed Commission payment went on successfully to the eleventh meeting organised in Yaound, it used the final report for the withdrawal and transfer of authority along the boundary which was a success history. For the actual fact that the Mixed Fee was highly successful in the boundary dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria, it has truly gone down into background, it includes gained considerable grounds with observers in African politics situation and it is been considered a novel method of preventive diplomacy and a new model for the settlement deal of interstates conflicts.
In this light, Nigeria was given the deadline of 15 September to totally withdraw from the territory, though it didn't meet up with the deadline for reasons mysterious, this didn't however strained the partnership with Cameroon or create dubious, but instead renew the self-confidence build in the Mixed Fee.
5. 3. The famous Green-Tree Accord
The achievements score by the Mixed Commission rate was highly identified by and was a turning point to both countries. This great instant of successes empowered the UN secretary general Kofi Annan to broker your final and lasting deal between both presidents at the Green Tree just outside New York on June 12, 2006 and it was baptized the Green Tree Accord. The Green Tree Accord became very famous as it was regarded as the last tripartite assembly which closed the execution of the court ruling of Oct 2006. The accord is a memorable event as portrayed by Kofi Annan, that the putting your signature on ceremony "crowns a amazing experiment in conflict reduction by Cameroon and Nigeria". The putting your signature on ceremony was witnessed by Britain, France and Germany. Nigeria was given 60 days period with an expansion of 30 days to withdraw its soldiers from Bakassi in line with the term of the accord.
This provided way finally for the entire handover of the place from Nigeria to Cameroon. The handover wedding ceremony in 14 August 2006, took place at the Bakassi peninsula with the existence of top civil and armed forces officials from both countries, and a bunch of top rating representatives from different African claims. Within a solemn military ceremony, Nigeria for the last time lowered its flag and the flag of Cameroon was hoisted. It was indeed a exceptional instant for Kofi Annan and equally Cameroon and Nigeria because of their maturity in handling and resolving the conflict. Plus its a good example for the African countries and the international community to emulate the spirit of brotherliness and duties applied by both countries to resolve the issue.
6. CONCLUSION
From this, we can easily see that Bakassi was legitimately handed to Cameroon as its sovereignty. Everything has been mentioned in the preceding chapters from record review of the turmoil. The peaceful image resolution and management of the Bakassi discord has wipe the stereotype about Africa, that minimal situation has always lead to conflict and that they never accept to come quickly to the negotiating desk. More credits should be given to the presidents Biya and Obasanjo for their sense of maturity. Politically, economically, socially and even historically, we can verify the fact that Cameroon and Nigeria have ended up a long way therefore it was basely for both countries to visit war. Both countries shared the value and their associations have been one of peaceful coexistence from forever. Also going to conflict with Cameroon could have discredit Nigeria's Obasanjo role as a peacefulness mediator in Africa.
But I think, it will not only ends here, as both countries must prolonged to ensure that there is complete management and quality of the discord in order to get a long prolonged sustainable calmness and development in the area. Cameroon should similarly start development in the territory and put up administrative structures in the area.
It is visible that the majority of the Nigerian people did not acknowledge the ruling of the ICJ as they said did prefer Cameroon. Many in Nigeria calls for the full total rejection of the verdict, however the charismatic approach of Chief executive Obasanjo as a respecter of both national and international laws and regulations and also as a serenity mediator in Africa was praised in many quarters. The indigenous Bakassi people who have been mostly of Nigeria assumed that their fates were chose without their consents plus they were required to choice were to belong, i. e. Cameroon or Nigeria. But they swore to battle for themselves because the federal government of Nigeria has abandoned them to an alien country. Which means this people must be considered and their privileges should be respected as if they wish to remain in Cameroon or be resettled back Nigeria. While Cameroonians on the part, celebrated in all the corners of Cameroon for the success and immediately neglect their local problems. So methods should be studied to guarantee the peaceful transfer of sovereignty to Cameroon and the execution of an extended lasting peace in the future.
Furthermore, I am going to ask the question whether natural resources are a curse or blessing in Africa? African countries should figure out how to develop their countries politically, economically and socially and not to depend on natural resources like oil. This is a territory that was completely neglected by Cameroon, probably because of the fact that it was a swampy area and much more especially since it was inhabited by typically Nigerians, but with the finding of oil and the facts that it was a veritable earth for angling, both countries immediately promise sovereignty of the place.
