The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cameroon

  • DENCIA’S passionate appeal

    DENCIA’S passionate appeal

    CALIFORNIA-BASED Camerounian singer, Dencia, has appealed for support towards her charity moves.

    Not quite long after she claimed that she earned more than a million dollars from the sales of her product, Whitenicious, without adverts, she put smiles on the faces of some motherless babies in her home town in Cameroon.

    The artiste, who was in Cameroon this month, shared cash, clothes and bags for the running of an orphanage.

    Shortly after, she tweeted: “So, I landed in Cameroun on February 10 and left three days after. But I wanted to visit an orphanage before leaving. Luckily for me, there’s one close to the place, where I will be building my own. I went to get the work started. When I got to this orphanage, I was so heart-broken. I could barely speak after I prayed with the kids. I have helped people, but I have never gone to see the situation.

    “The lady, who owns this place, has bought the piece of land next to it, but doesn’t have money. I want to help her and I want anyone who can to help these kids to contact me, as I will be returning to Cameroon in the first week of March.”

  • ‘Boko Haram may be operating from Cameroon’

    BOKO Haram insurgents may have struck from a new base in Cameroon, following renewed attacks on Borno villages, the military has said.

    It was also learnt that the military seeks to prevail on the Federal Government to reach out to Cameroonian authorities on a bilateral campaign against the insurgents.

    Last Saturday, Boko Haram attacked Arboko village, behind Gwoza Hills, killing five and burning 35 houses.

    Unspecified number of insurgents were killed in a counter-attack by troops.

    But investigation has linked the latest attack to a base being operated by Boko Haram in Northern Cameroon.

    A military source said: “Last Saturday’s attack was not behind Sambisa Forest, but Gwoza Hills at Abroko.

    “From available intelligence, the terrorists came in from Cameroon, killing five civilians and burning 35 houses.

    “When we got the alert, troops were despatched to the locality, where they encountered the terrorists, killing and several of them.

    “Following the superior counter-attack from our troops, the insurgents fled. The area is being searched at the moment.”

    The source added: “We have strong clues that Boko Haram insurgents have shifted base to Cameroon. It is from this base that they have been invading villages and schools in Borno and Yobe states.

    “What the military is doing now is to ask the Federal Government to enter into a pact with the Cameroonian government to rid the borders of insurgents.

    “We are hopeful that with political understanding, it is a matter of time before the insurgents are checked.”

    Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj-Gen. Chris Olubolade said: “Troops have been deployed in the village occupied by the insurgents and they have fled the area.

    “We will also ensure the protection of life and property in the affected area.”

    A statement by the spokesman of the 7 Division, Maiduguri, Col. Muhammad Dole, confirmed the encounters between troops on Maiduguri-Bama-Gwoza Road.

    Dole said the success of air raid had depleted the strength of Boko Haram.

    The statement said: “The air bombardment of insurgents’ hideouts in Mainok and Mada areas of Kaga and Konduga local government areas by the Air Force claimed the lives of some Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The terrorists were seen conducting a funeral for their dead members around Mudube village.

    “Troops of 7 Division encountered Boko Haram insurgents on the Maiduguri-Bama-Gwoza road during which eight terrorists were killed, three vehicles and three AK 47 rifles burnt, while scores of others fled with injuries.

    “Recently, due to increased offensive ground and air strikes, there is serious decimation of Boko Haram fighters.

    “This forced them (Boko Haram) to embark on a forceful conscription of youths and abduction of women. The troops are on their trail to ensure the safe release of these captives.”

  • UN lauds Nigeria, Cameroon over ‘Bakassi transition’

    UN lauds Nigeria, Cameroon over ‘Bakassi transition’

    The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the peaceful conclusion of a special transitional regime established by an agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon concerning the Bakassi Peninsula.

    The 15-member body in a statement commended the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon “for their commitment in honouring the obligations to comply with the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and for the responsible and peaceful way in which they resolved their differences on this matter.”

    In June 2006, the two countries signed the UN-backed Greentree Agreement setting the terms and timeframe for the implementation of the 2002 ruling of the ICJ, which transferred the Bakassi Peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Nigeria formally ceded the territory in 2008 and since then a transitional phase has been in place to give full sovereignty of the territory to Cameroon.

    The council, however, commended the role played by the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) in chairing the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission and the Follow-up Committee established to monitor the implementation of the Greentree Agreement.

    “The members of the Security Council commend the efforts of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission in facilitating the performance of the obligations under the judgment of the International Court of Justice and the demarcating of the land and maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon,” it said.

     

  • Haunted by disaster

    Haunted by disaster

    Following unprecedented flood in some states last year as a result of the sudden discharge of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun, the Federal Government opened bilateral talks with the country last week. In this piece, our MANAGING EDITOR, NORTHERN OPERATION, YUSUF ALLI, who was in Yaoundé, reviews the negotiation and outcome of the session, which overstretched the two teams 

    Beyond the territorial dispute over Bakassi Peninsula in the recent past, Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon came together last week to address the flood menace which ravaged the two nations in 2012 as a result of the release of excess water from Lagdo Dam. For three days, a 24-man delegation from Nigeria, led by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, had a series of brainstorming session and shuttles to the furious Lagdo Dam in the North-Central Province in Cameroon with the Minister of Water and Energy, Basile Atangana Kouna.

    The delegation included Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Hajiya Hadiza Mustapha; the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi and Commissioners for Water Resources from Kogi, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states. An added value to it was another round of discussion which centered on the future of Lake Nyos.

    Although it was a tedious trip which went into midnight, the sacrifice underscored the determination of the two countries to avert a reoccurrence of last year’s flood. Going by statistics, both countries suffered the pangs of the flood such that the bilateral session on how to manage water from Lagdo Dam and the entire Benue Basin was inevitable.

    REVISITING THE FURY OF LAGDO DAM

    A brief on the Lagdo dam showed that it was constructed between 1977 and 1982 by China International Water & Electric Corp, though it was not put into use until 1983. The dam, which is 308 metres long, 40 metres high and 9 metres thick, is on River Benue and about 60 kilometres away from Garoua, the capital of North-Central Province of Cameroon. Besides providing for the irrigation of about 15,000 hectares of crops downstream, Cameroon currently generates about 72MW of electricity from the dam through an international power firm, AES SONEL.

    Little was known of the dam until excess water was released from it on August 24, 2012, leading to devastating flood which took a toll on states in the lower belt of River Benue. A brief from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) gave details on the link between Lagdo Dam and states in the North-East and North-Central geopolitical zones, and how Nigeria became susceptible to flood last year.

    The document states: “Lagdo dam is located on the Adamawa Plateau of the Northern Province of the Republic of Cameroon which shares border with the North-Eastern States of Borno, Adamawa and Taraba States of Nigeria. The primary outflow of the dam is River Benue, the second largest river in Nigeria’s drainage system. The Benue River, which takes its source from the same Adamawa Plateau in Cameroon, flows through the lowland elevations of Adamawa, Taraba and Benue States before meeting River Niger in Lokoja, Kogi State. The steep elevation of the Adamawa Plateau, coupled with the sudden release of excess waters in 2012, has therefore created a great risk of inundation of the lowland communities of North-Eastern Nigeria, especially those located within the River Benue drainage basin.”

    Topographically, Nigeria was much more at the receiving end of the fury of Lagdo Dam. According to the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Ochekpe, in a presentation to Cameroonian authorities, the Lagdo Dam flood in 2012 led to the death of more than 49 lives and displacement of over 91,000 in 16 local government areas. This is apart from the destruction of 117, 978 structures destroyed.

    Ochekpe said: “It is worthwhile to mention that due to extensive rainfall and releases from the dam, the downstream areas of the dam, Nigeria had experienced periodic flooding. As at 14th December 2012, the total number of internally displaced persons in Adamawa State was 949 while 45, 253 structures were destroyed.

    “The devastating floods in Taraba State, which affected about 37 communities, claimed 27 lives and displaced 34, 393 persons amongst others.

    “Three persons were reported dead, over 25,000 displaced and property worth billions of naira were destroyed in Makurdi and seven local government areas in Benue State. Persistent torrential rainfall and compelling release of water from Lagdo, Kainji and Jebba dams led to massive flooding of 335 communities in nine LGAs of Kogi State, including Ajaokuta, Bassa, Lokoja, Kogi, Omala, Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela and Ofu. The flood affected 72,725 people in the state, 19 lost their lives, 30,709 people were displaced and disruption of businesses and livelihoods brought down infrastructure and public institutions.”

    On his part, the Minister of Water and Energy, Basilie Atangana Kouna, said about 40,000 Cameroonians were displaced by the Lagdo Dam. He said Cameroon did its best to regulate water from the dam but the volume was more than it could manage.

    He disclosed that inflow of water into Lagdo Dam in 2012 was 6, 240km per second but Cameroon was releasing 3,000km per sec. He also added that high outflow from Mayo-Kebbi River from Chad and Faro River contributed to the flood disaster in Nigeria in 2012.

    THE KERNEL OF NEGOTIATION

    Areas of bilateral talks for the three days, as tabled by Nigeria, were as follows:

    · Managing future release of excess water from Lagdo Dam with adequate communication by both countries

    · Establishment of framework of cooperation for exchange of data and information on safety measures taken or envisaged to be taken with respect to Lake Nyos ( Cameroon ) and;

    · Putting in place joint technical site visits, studies and research and setting up early warning notification and response mechanisms for any emergency in the Benue Basin

    · Signing of MoU by Nigeria and Cameroon to give legal teeth to any commitment from both sides and how to dredge River Benue and construct appropriate infrastructure that will enhance navigation within the river channel

    Ochekpe said the situation would be worse if Cameroon does not cooperate with Nigeria.

    She said: “This situation, if not addressed, will affect our populace and resources within the catchments resulting to fruitless efforts in the development of our natural resources in a sustainable manner. Therefore, the proposed MoU is rightful to address the following issues:

    “Establish framework of cooperation for exchange of date and information on safety measures taken or envisaged to be taken with respect to Lake Nyos (Cameroon) and;

    “Put in place joint technical site visits, studies and research and setting up early warning notification and response mechanisms for any emergency in the Benue Basin.”

    Ochekpe said apart from signing MoU with Cameroon, the Nigerian government would dredge River Benue and construct appropriate infrastructure that will enhance navigation within the river channel.”

    The Cameroonian Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Basie Atangana Kouna, said his country would cooperate with Nigeria on the release of water from Lagdo Dam.

    Kouna said: “We shall be committed to exchange of data and information relating to the water resources of the Benue Basin and use.

    “We will consult each other mutually and if necessary negotiate the possible effects of measures planned in the Benue Basin .”

    HOW THE NEGOTIATION WENT AND WHAT THE MEETING ACHIEVED

    In spite of mutual suspicion, the three-day session opened a new vista in the relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon. With much tact and diplomacy, the Ochekpe delegation succeeded in extracting a commitment from Cameroon not to release excess water from Lagdo Dam without adequate communication with Nigeria as part of the pending Memorandum of Understanding which might be signed in two weeks.

    The Cameroonian Minister of Water and Energy, Mr. Basie Atangana Kouna, captured the mood in a chat with newsmen. He said his country would not release water from Lagdo Dam in line with the ongoing talks with Nigeria to avert a reoccurrence of last year’s flood disaster.

    He also said a group of experts has been set up by Cameroon and Nigeria to work out the terms of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations.

    He said although last year flood was exceptional, both Presidents Paul Biya and Goodluck Jonathan are determined to collaborate to end such flood disasters.

    He said: “I can assure you that Cameroon will not release any water from Lagdo Dam.

    What we had last year was exceptional. That was why the Secretary- General of the North-Central Province was talking of the 2012 flood being exceptional. He was talking of such high water level being a 50-year thing. The meeting with experts will lead us what to do.

    “As part of being proactive, the Cameroonian government has engaged deep measures into the management of the basins, especially Benue Basin. We are happy that Nigeria is also taking a step in the same direction.

    “The two countries have inaugurated a group of experts to analyse the situation and suggestions to avert future flood disasters. The experts will come together and forward their report to the government. This will lead to the signing of MoU between the two countries.”

    Asked of the timeline for the MoU, Kouna added: “There is no timeline but we will work on it as soon as possible.”

    The Secretary- General of North-Central Province, Tegni Fidele, said: “I will like to say that the worries of Nigerians are shared by the administrative authority of the Northern Region. What we had last year was just a 50-year thing. But since we are dealing with nature, we cannot rule out higher rainfall. We have put in place three steps.

    “These three ways are sharing communication and information by the two countries; asking those proned to flood to stay away from submerged area or forcefully ejecting those who do not leave, and the third option is the partnership.

    ” If we try to harmonise the administrative efforts, we will communicate more with the Nigerian delegation. My hope is that something positive will come out of this synergy.”

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, assured Nigerians that the two countries have agreed to share information on rainfall and how to manage excess water without leading to flood disasters.

    She said: “Cameroon has agreed to collaborate with us. We are not likely to have the same flood challenge we had last year. We have come to Lagdo to seek collaboration with Cameroon because one hand cannot build a house. If Nigeria and Cameroon work together, it will do a lot to improve the sub-region.

    ” On the Cameroonian side, they have the Lagdo Dam but we shared the same Benue Basin. We have come together in a way and manner that will protect and promote the economic interests of the two countries.

    “We are happy with the visit to the site; we are all here to share information because information is power and when it is used for planning it facilitates development. Going forward after this session, both Cameroon and Nigeria will be guided by information to plan better and take decision for the development of both countries.

    ” There is a proposed MoU between the two countries and part of what we want to achieve is a joint monitoring of Benue Basin to protect our people and manage the resources that God has given us.

    “We will work together to say water is life and a reality. When we plan well, there will be life. But when we don’t, water can be destructive.

    Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Cameroon, Hajiya Hadiza Mustapha, said: “I am very happy at this development or understanding between the two countries.

    “It is my job to bring the two countries together. It is true that we have diplomatic channel, but what we are saying now is to improve on it. We need a contact person in Cameroon to relate with on flood management because sometimes, natural challenges are rapid.”

    THE COMMUNIQUE

    The summary of the agreement between the two countries was contained in a six-point Joint Communiqué by Ochekpe and her Cameroonian counterpart, Kouna as follows:

     The need to establish framework of cooperation for exchange of date and information on reservoir management and water releases of Lagdo Dam (Cameroon) and similar structures in the entire Benue basin.

     The need to expedite action on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the exchange of date and information on the management of the shared basin for better planning and sustainable development in the two countries.

     The need to put in place joint technical site visits, studies and research and setting up of Early Warning and notification and response mechanism for any emergency in the shared basin.

     Both sides also agreed on the principle of appointing focal points to further facilitate communication among experts and the early warning mechanism being establishes, in addition to providing information through diplomatic channels.

     On the sidelines of the visit to Cameroon of the Nigerian Federal Minister of Water Resources, a working session held between the Director General of NEMA, the Director of the institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) and the Director of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization. The Nigerian side was briefed on the measures taken by the Cameroonian side to ensure the security of Lake Nyos , in particular, the degassing operation and the strengthening of the lake’s storage dam.

     The Honourable Minister of Water Resources of Nigeria offered to host the joint technical meetings in Abuja , Nigeria , in august 2013 after which it is expected that the MoU would be ready for signing.

    WILL THE UNDERSTANDING PREVENT FLOOD THIS YEAR?

    The huge task before the two nations during the negotiation was how to avert a repeat of last year’s flood to save the helpless farmers and natives on the River Benue Basin unnecessary agony. Since there were commitments on both sides, Mrs. Ochekpe said: “We have talked; we have agreed on preventive measures, we are hopeful that we will not experience such flooding again.” She also disclosed that Nigeria is adopting a pragmatic approach by building a new dam along the Benue Basin to absorb excess water from Lagdo Dam, Mayo-Kebbi River , which flows from Chad , and Faro River . Water from these two rivers is unregulated. With the prediction of a heavy rainfall this year, the government and all vulnerable states are expected to put preventive measures in place including paying attention to hydrological signals. A major challenge during the trip, which requires the attention of the two countries, is the under-utilization of Lagdo Dam that gives room for the collection of excess water. Out of the 72 MW of electricity being generated from the dam, Cameroon is only consuming 30MW. Certainly, there is a window for the two countries to go into joint projects on how to maximize the benefits of Lagdo Dam and the Benue Basin if they have the political will.

  • FIFA lifts Cameroon’s suspension

    FIFA lifts Cameroon’s suspension

    The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has lifted its suspension of the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT), given that the conditions previously set have been met.

    A statement on the Website of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday read that FIFA took the decision on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that FIFA had on July 4 suspended FECAFOOT with immediate effect over government’s interference.

    In view of this, FIFA’s Emergency Committee had set up a normalisation committee, to revise the FECAFOOT statutes and organise elections for new officials by March 31, 2014

    The statement added that the normalisation committee that was appointed has since resumed its duties at the FECAFOOT headquarters.

    It added that FECAFOOT’s clubs, officials and other representatives can immediately resume their activities, which had been interrupted

    “As requested by the FIFA Emergency Committee, the normalisation committee appointed on July 20, has taken up its duties on July 22 at the FECAFOOT headquarters, with FIFA and CAF observers present.

    “The lifting of the suspension means that FECAFOOT’s clubs, officials and other representatives can immediately resume their activities, which had been interrupted.

    “The same applies for the resumption of the courses and various programmes provided by FIFA, CAF and other member associations.

    “FIFA and CAF will continue to closely monitor the situation, particularly in relation to the revision of the FECAFOOT statutes,’’ the statement added.

  • Panic as Cameroon releases more water from dam

    Panic as Cameroon releases more water from dam

    Panic gripped residents of Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Gwer West and other areas affected by last year’s flooding in Benue State as the state government announced plans by Cameroonian authorities to start releasing water from Ladgo Dam.

    The Executive Secretary of the state Emergency Agency (SEMA), Mr Adikpo Agbatse, had announced on the state radio station early Friday that the Cameroonian authorities would release  water from the dam in the morning  and enjoined the people in vulnerable areas to be on alert, particularly, when the volume of water on River Benue begin to rise.

    The Nation, which went round vulnerable areas in the capital city saw as people expressed fear and called on the state government to immediately provide comfortable place for them.

    Madam Caroline, who lives at new garage area, one of the worst hit last year’s flood told our correspondent that the family is already planning to relocate their children to their place in the eastern part of the country to avoid the ugly experience of last year.

    According to her, “someone called my husband this morning and informed him of the radio announcement of the repeat of the flood incident anytime from now. Immediately we heard this, we started thinking of sending our children to the village to prevent them from experiencing the ugly incident of last year where we were crammed in a room that look like cubicle when the flood sacked us from here.”

    Also, Mr. James Atser , who lives along Gboko Road, one of the areas affected by last year’s flood, said that there was little he could do since he could not remove his house from the area but called on state government to make available a better place for people who may likely be displaced by the flood.

  • Bakassi: A Critical Response to Jonathan’s Speech

     

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said during the interactive session with the Nigerian community in Yaounde, Cameroon, Sunday night, 23rd June 2013, that Nigeria “deliberately” refused to appeal the verdict of the International Court of Justice which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi territory to Cameroun on the 10th of October, 2002. That the major reason is just to protect Nigerians residing in Cameroun and he also said that Nigeria had no new evidence within the period of 10 years given by the ICJ in Article 61 (1).

    Let me say that the statement is fallacy, scandalous, cruel and a grave mistake; it is a known fact today that the Federal Government of Nigeria erroneously and unprofessionally ceded the oil-rich bakassi to Cameroun due to her own laxity.

    It is irresponsible for any Government to admit she intentionally gave out her own territory for any self-centered reasons at the expense of her own National interest, territorial integrity, and the right of her own citizenry. One of the basic foreign policy focuses of any responsible nation is the protection of her sovereignty and territorial integrity. If our Government is claiming that her negligence to appeal the ICJ verdict is to protect Nigerians residing in Cameroun, what about the citizens in the bakassi itself? Do you cut off a man’s head just to curb a headache ailment? The action in return negates the interest of Bakassi people and it is a total denial to their right of self-determination.

    The president’s premise that Nigeria had no new evidence within the 10-years grace as stated in Article 61 of the Statute of the ICJ is a bogus and gigantic fallacy, as several facts emerged during the 10-year period that were sufficient to file an appeal.

    Some Facts that emerged are:

    1. Prof. Walter Ofonagoro, a historian and former Nigerian Information Minister disclosed while speaking to Nigerian public on a topic:- “Nigeria, Cameroun and the Bakassi Question: The Unfulfilled UN Mandate” organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs which was held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Lagos said: “fresh facts have emerged to show that the Cameroonian legal team deceived the ICJ into believing that before the Anglo-German treaty of 1913 upon which it rested its case, there were no other treaties that delineated the land and maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon, which is a fraudulent claim”. Prof. Ofonagoro said that he has in his possession, 1822 documents which vested ownership of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Old Calabar Chiefs, by extension to Nigeria, and debunked claims that the 1913 Anglo-German treaty was the first recognised treaty on the land and maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon. Said Prof. Ofonagoro: “This is not true because as far back as 1811, the British had already established a strong sphere of influence over the territories that eventually became Nigeria in 1914.

    The Anglo- German treaty upon which Cameroon built its case was contestable because after the First World war ended in 1919, all the territories controlled by Germany were taken away from them and given to the League of Nations. Cameroon of 1919 was not the Cameroon of 1913, because after the end of the First World War, Germany was forced to give up all its territories in Africa, which came under the mandate of League of Nations. Germany renounced all its claims to territories and all the treaties it entered into which gave it control of territories, became a nullity. The League of Nations consisting of Britain, France and Italy, the territory of Cameroon was carved up by France which took the Northern part.

    2. There were also clear cases of ethnic cleansing in Bakassi peninsula in the past 10 years in violation of the Green Tree Agreement of 2006, increasing violation of rights of Nigerian inhabitants of the Peninsula, the militarization of the place and the obstruction of lawful economic activities of the inhabitants. All these could serve as grounds of appeal which the FG neglected; Reports of intimidation and terrorizing of Nigerians in the Peninsula constitute what is called a material-breach of the Green-Tree Agreement. It is a sufficient ground for Nigeria to terminate the Green-Tree Agreement. That would be in conformity with Article 60, of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaty of 1969.

     

    3. According to international practice, consent of people residing in the territory (by way of plebiscite), is a condition-precedent to any transfer or change in title over the territory that they occupy. Even when the fate of Northern and Southern Cameroun were to be determined, a plebiscite was conducted in 1961, under which Southern Cameroun opted to join Cameroun, while Northern Cameroun opted to join Nigeria. That could be a case, which confirmed what is called Right to Self-Determination. I am of the view that it is still part and parcel of international best practices that inhabitants of the territory are consulted and allowed to make their own choice. I think the interest of the inhabitants ought to have been given greater resonance. This also is enough a critical point to raise before the ICJ for the appeal.

     

    4. Another fact is that the said Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties as contained in Article 46(1) where it states: – “A State may not invoke the fact its consent to be bound by a treaty has been expressed in violation of a provision of its internal law regarding competence to conclude treaties as invalidating its consent unless that violation was manifest and concerned a rule of its internal law of fundamental importance.”

    Article 46 (2) further presented some clarifications to the above provisions:- “A violation is manifest if it would be objectively evident to any State conducting itself in the matter in accordance with normal practice and in good faith.”

     

    These provisions of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties equally present Nigeria with an option to challenge a violation of its internal procedures for legitimising treaties/agreement which the Green Tree Agreement of 2006 did not observed. Under the Nigerian Constitution the Treaty cannot apply, except and unless and only to the extent that such a treaty has been transformed into the Nigerian law. Since the Treaty has not been approved by the (Nigerian) National Assembly for the domestication, Nigeria cannot carry out the provisions of that Agreement. The treaty ought to have been transformed into Nigerian law before the Nigerian government either ratifies it or implements it. That is why the residents of Bakassi feel aggrieved that the necessary measures had not been taken before their territory was transferred to a foreign country.

     

    All the aforementioned premises were enough grounds for our callous one-sided government to utilise but due to some selfish self-centered reasons known to the government, she decided not to appeal the Judgment at the expense of the Bakassi people and Nigerians at large.

     

    Way forward

    Since the legal window has already been closed, what is needed, therefore, is a comprehensive framework and strategy to carry out diplomatic negotiation that represents the interest of bakassi people and the interest of all Nigerians at large.

     

    Recommendation

    Total buy-out of bakassi: Negotiation should immediately commence between Nigeria and Cameroun to buy back the peninsula which we in error transferred to them. If we give them an offer that is so juicy that cannot be refused, then the Cameroonians might reconsider and sell off the disputed bakassi. We can settle them, using money. It is to be pointed out clearly to them that there are no way they are going to enjoy those resources without taking Nigeria and Nigerians’ interest into account. Because, if they want to lay claim to the continental shelf under the law of the sea, their claim would have to overlap the claim of Nigeria because looking at the geography, at the map of Cameroun, their shelf locked as it is in international law; they don’t have enough room to utilise or to lay claim to 200 nautical miles, which international law grants to them. This is because Nigeria too has a claim of 200 miles, so there is going to be a conflict. Therefore, Nigeria might propose to them to engage in ‘unitisation or joint development zone’ for the exploitation of the resources. And bring them within the arrangement that we have established with country like Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe under which Nigeria and say Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe will jointly exploit the resources and the proceeds are shared on 60:40 ratios. In other words, Cameroun should be properly advised to think of the future and think of the larger thing that lies ahead for that country in terms of its relations with Nigeria.

    This is exactly what I think should be the paramount concern of the Federal Government now, rather than making statement that will unleash the already inflicted pains and heartbreak that is being nurtured by the bakassi people and Nigerians at large.

    Adeniyi, is a political/human right activist, philosopher and scholar of International Law and Diplomacy, University of Lagos. He can be reached via debscom1@yahoo.com

     

     

  • Why Nigeria didn’t appeal ICJ ruling on Bakassi-Jonathan

    Why Nigeria didn’t appeal ICJ ruling on Bakassi-Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has given reasons why Nigeria did not appeal the ruling of the International Court of Justice, which awarded the oil-rich territory of Bakassi to Cameroon in 2002.

    Speaking during an interactive session with Nigerian community in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Sunday night, Jonathan said that Nigeria did not appeal in order to ensure the protection of Nigerians living in Cameroon.

    According to him, when two countries are friendly, the people of the two countries also tend to be friendly, but when the two countries disagree, their citizens tend to disagree also.

    He also explained that Nigeria had no new evidence within the period of time that was given that will make a difference in the judgement.

    Jonathan is in Cameroon for the summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), which started yesterday and focusing on maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.

    While the area had been heavily guarded by Cameroonian soldiers since their country took control of the territory from Nigeria on August 14, 2008, there is a deadline for Nigerians there to decide to become Cameroonian latest by August 2012 or leave the territory.

    He said: “You all know what happened in Bakassi, there is no need to go back on why we couldn’t appeal. We had no new evidence within the period of time that was given that will make a difference in the judgement.

    “Our people should live a good and decent life in Cameroon. The forces of animosity are gradually dying down and the relationship is improving”. He added

    Jonathan assured the citizens that his government was totally committed to their welfare and that their concerns on high cost of residence permits, high cost of tuition fees for students among others would be tabled before his host, President Paul Biya in order to find amicable solution to them.

    Commending the good reports on Nigerians in Cameroon, he assured that the various concerns raised on security, power, infrastructural deficits back home in Nigeria are all being tackled.

    He maintained that two years of his administration has recorded significant progress in key sectors.

    Urging Nigerians in diaspora to ignore negative reports that exaggerate the problems back home, he said that they should take time out to look at the parameters, GDP growth, foreign direct investments, which, he said, showed that “the economy is strong.”

    Stressing that investors do not take money to countries where nothing is happening, the President claimed that out of every $10 that comes to the continent, $4 comes into Nigeria.

    Speaking on agriculture and cement, he noted that non-importation of rice has impacted on the country’s revenue, saying, “We cannot be a giant of Africa when we keep importing rice, we must put a stop to that. The way we are going we will soon be exporting rice in few years. We are now exporting cement about 20 million tonnes”.

    Admitting that Nigeria has health challenges, Jonathan said: “I can assure you we are on course, I will make you happy. We will exploit the opportunity”.

    He also expressed unhappiness that Nigeria is among the four countries in the world with cases of polio.

    “I’m uncomfortable with the figure, why should Nigeria be among the four countries in the world with polio? We are committed to eradicating polio and we will eradicate it”. He assured

    On the power sector, he said that his administration was almost done with the privatisation exercise and when completed, the sector “will take a life of its own.”

    He said that work has been going on on road infrastructure after the flood experienced in the country last year.

    President Jonathan also disclosed that he personally advocated voting by Nigerians in diaspora, but that he cannot use executive fiat to veto it.

    Stating that the process is on course, he urged them to be patient until the constitution is finally amended.

    He however advised those passionate about the issue to write a petition to the National Assembly in order to push for the amendment.

    He said: “On diaspora votes, I advocated for it but before we can have it the constitution will have to be amended. I cannot use executive fiat to do it, we have to follow the constitution. We have a very vibrant diaspora and should be heard. You should send your petition to National Assembly so that they will know is not only Mr. President that is interested in it”.

    Promising that he will not allow them to be victimized or maltreated, Jonathan dispelled fears that the Federal Government has abandoned Nigerians who remained in the peninsula after its transfer to Cameroon.

    Nigeria High Commissioner to Cameroon, Hadiza Mustapha, in her opening remarks said the Nigerian community “is the best community any ambassador could ask for. They are hardworking, patrotic, law-abiding and have good working relations with the Mission”.

    She said the good working relationship existing between Nigeria and Cameroon has brought about reduction in harassment of citizens living in the host country.

    She said the complains of Nigerian citizens have been tabled before the Cameroonian authorities and “so far we have no reason to doubt the commitment of our host government to address the issues”.

    The President of the Nigerian Union, Center Region, Ebere Valentine, assured the President that Nigerians in Cameroon will continue to become good ambassadors and “project the image of our country well”.

    He appealed for more government involvement in the welfare of Nigerians in Cameroon as regards the cost of residence permit, saying 50 per cent reduction will be a welcome development”.

    Olukorede Adenowo, Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, West and Central Africa, who is the representative of Nigerians in the Corporate Sector in Cameroon, said that there were opportunities that exist in the Cameroons and advised Nigerian businessmen to take advantage of the geographical proximity and the comparatively high prices.

    He noted that Nigerian businesses were active in aviation, general commerce, downstream oil and gas and banking in the Cameroon.

    He said other areas Nigerians can assist in terms of foreign direct investment and simultaneously make decent returns in Cameroon are in oil and gas exploration and production, commercial and residential real estates, entertainments, shopping malls.

    “We have been instrumental in working with our High Commission in bringing in several Nigerian businesses and helping them find their feet in Cameroon. We Nigerian professionals are ready and available to do more”, he said.

    Representative from the Bakassi Peninsular, Chief Etim Effiong, commended President Jonathan for not abandoning those of them that choose to remain in the Cameroon as Nigerians.

    According to him, they couldn’t bare to abandon the land that belonged to their fore-fathers for years and expressed happiness that the Nigerian government was working with the Cameroonian government to make them safe and at home in their community.

     

  • 1,500 refugees fled to Cameroon, says Envoy

    1,500 refugees fled to Cameroon, says Envoy

    The Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Amb. Hadiza Mustapha, has said 1,500 refugees have fled from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to the northern part of Cameroon, following the state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan last month.

    Speaking with reporters in her office in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, she denied media reports that the refugees were over 3,000.

    According to her, 1,500 as confirmed by the UN Refugee Commission and the Cameroonian authorities is the correct figure.

    Amb. Mustapha said the cooperation between both countries has checked the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and that the Cameroonian government has granted the refugees unlimited stay until the situation normalises in their states.

    Said she: “What I have seen in the media is over 3,000 refugees in the northern part of Cameroon. But when we asked the authorities there, we were told they are 1,500 and the UN Refugee Commission is taking care of them.

    “What is also good, which is an indication of a good relationship, is that unlike in some countries that they will give the refugees just a few days or weeks or months to leave their territories, once there is normalisation in those areas, because these are people, who have come in as a result of the operations going on, the authorities have told us that our compatriots are here, the UN system is looking after them, and they have not given us a deadline to get them back to Nigeria.

    “We will visit the North after this summit and also get in touch with the Nigerian authorities handling the matter. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is in touch with us and we have given it this information. So the situation is under control.

    “There is a saying that you cannot choose your neighbours, but you share the good and bad with them.”

    Amb. Mustapha went on: “They have also given us a lot of support. Sometimes we have even had exchange of suspected persons. As you rightly noted, this is possible because of the peace that exists between us.

    “A lot of things are possible because both countries’ security agencies are co-operating. In fact, they have exchanged a lot of visits and meetings. We have to firm up the cooperation by going beyond just Nigeria and Cameroon and making it multi-lateral because as you know, there is also Chad Republic.

    “There is a border between Nigeria and Chad and between Cameroon and Chad. Secondly, we have signed a trans-border security agreement with Cameroon. This is a very good document. It is a good achievement because in that document we have agreed to exchange information, do joint operation and help each other to deport suspected criminals.

    “It is not for terrorism alone, it is for other trans-national or trans-border criminal activities. This has also contributed to a lot of economic and political relations.”

    According to her, four million Nigerians living in Cameroon are well- behaved, hard working, law- abiding and contributing to the advancement of the nation’s economy.

    On the reported harassment of Nigerians by the Cameroon gendarmes, Amb. Mustapha said while this was true in the past, there has been great improvement in the relations between the Nigerian community and its host authorities.

  • Emergency: 1,500 refugees fled to Cameroon, says Nigerian Envoy

    The Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Ambassador Hadiza Mustapha has disclosed that about 1,500 refugees have fled from the three northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe to the northern part of Cameroon following the State of Emergency rule declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in May.

    Speaking with journalists in her office in Yaounde, She denied the media reports which claimed that the refugees were over 3000 persons.

    According to her, the figure of 1,500 as confirmed by the UN Refugee Commission and the Cameroonian authorities in the region is the correct figure.

    She also maintained that the cooperation between both countries securities has checked the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and that the Cameroonian government has magnanimously granted the refugees unlimited stay until the situation normalise in their states.

    She said: “What I have seen in the media is over 3000 refugees in the northern part of the Cameroon. But when we asked the authorities there, we were told they are 1,500 and the UN Refugee Commission is taking care of them.”

    “What is also good which is also an indication of good relationship is that, unlike in some countries that they will give the refugees just a few days or weeks or months to leave their territory once there is normalisation in those areas, because these are people who have come in as a result of the operations that is going on, but the authorities have told us that our people are here, the UN system is looking after them, and they have not given us deadline to get our people back to Nigeria.”

    “We are going to visit the north after this summit and also get in touch with the Nigerian authorities handling that. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has already been in touch with us and we have given them this information. So it is under control”.

    “There is a saying that you cannot choose your neighbours but you share both the good and the bad with your neighbours. It is true that we have seen not only with the Boko Haram insurgency but with the declaration of State of Emergency, a few refugees who have come into the Cameroon.”

    “This is what happens, as long as you cannot choose your neigbour but you can choose how you live with your neigbour, that is why peace is very important. And since I have been here 10 months and since we put the Bakassi issue behind us, there has been a lot of improvement in our relationship.”

    “And with that improvement and with that peace, a lot of cooperation is now possible. In the area of terrorism, there is a lot of cooperation between our security agencies and that of the Cameroonian security agencies in terms of exchange of information even in joint operations.”

    She went on: “They have also given us quite a lot of support, sometimes we have even had exchange of suspected persons. Like you rightly noted, this is all possible because of the peace that now exist between us.”

    “A lot of things is possible because both countries security agencies are co-operating very well. In fact they have exchange quite a lot of visits and meetings, we have to firm up the cooperation some more by going beyond just Nigeria and Cameroon and making it multi-lateral because as you know there is also Chad Republic.”

    “There is a border between Nigeria and Chad and between Cameroon and Chad. Secondly, we have also signed a trans-border security agreement with Cameroon. That is a very good document, is good achievement because in that document we have virtually agreed to exchange information, do joint operation, help each other to deport suspected criminals.”

    “It is not for terrorism alone, it is for all other trans-national or trans-border criminal activities. This has also contributed to a lot of economic and political relations”.

    According to her, four million Nigerians living in Cameroon are very well behaved, hardworking, law abiding and holding the economy of Cameroon together in critical areas.

    On the reported harrassement of Nigerians by the Cameroon Jandams, Ambassador Mustapha said that while this was true in the past, there has been great improvement in the relations between the Nigerian community and their host authorities.

    “You know the story of the Cameroons and the Cameronian Jandams, is a story we know right from when we were growing up. I come from a border town so I know. It is true that they are some high handedness, that the Jandams doesn’t seem to have a very good reputation but this is not only with Nigerians.”

    “There were a lot of these cases in the past but like I said with the improvement in the relationship, I have spoken with all the security agencies over these concerns and I have been given assurances and I have no reason to doubt the assurances that I have been given, that no Nigerian will be targetted specifically because he is a Nigerian. All they want is for us to sensitise our population to be law abiding.”

    “But they (Camernoonian authorities) admitted and this is not a secret that there has been a lot of reforms. You know like with our own police too there are some areas of problems like lack of skills, bad eggs. So they have seen and admitted that they are bad eggs and they are doing a lot to reform. Like I said there is marked improvement and you are free to confirm from Nigerians living here. We have had cases that we have taken to them and their responses were very good. You know is not always easy to change bad behaviour over night. Some Nigerians have noticed that a lot of the harassments which is always on immigration, residence permit have reduced”. She stated

    END