Matters Arising as Bakassi goes to Cameroon Today

By Msonter Anzaa

The Bakassi peninsula along the Southern Nigerian border with Cameroon, hosting Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, has finally gone to Cameroon. The Federal Government has announced it will not be applying for a review of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) judgement delivered on the 10th of October 2002. It is obvious that following the expiry of the deadline for filing a review today October 9, whatever hopes Nigeria had of reclaiming Bakassi through the ICJ have crashed. What are the implications of this moment and how can the Federal Government of Nigeria ensure that the people of Bakassi find justice and peace at this trying period of their life?

To begin with, Nigeria had already given its undertaking to abide by the decision of the ICJ at the time of delivery of this judgment. A statement read to the press by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke SAN, states, “President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR of Nigeria and President Paul Biya of the Republic of Cameroon gave their respective undertaking to the international community to abide by the judgment of the Court.” Following this undertaking, a joint Commission was established to ensure a workable implementation by the two neighbours of whatever judgment was going to be delivered. “The Follow-Up Committee comprising representatives of Nigeria and Cameroon was established to monitor the implementation of the Agreement and settle any dispute regarding the interpretation and implementation of the Agreement. Nigeria handed over the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in 2008.”

With the hand-over of the Bakassi peninsula to the Cameroon came the contentious issues of nationality of the Bakassi people. They were offered two difficult alternatives: to either remain resident in the land and become Cameroonian citizens or remain Nigerian citizens and relocate. The Federal Government at that time began a resettlement programme for the displaced people. This however, has had its challenges. Responding to pressure from concerned stakeholders, President Goodluck Jonathan set up a committee “comprising of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director General, National Boundary Commission and Members of the National Assembly namely: Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN, CON, Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmed and Hon Nnena Ukaje to examine all the issues in contention and available options for Nigeria including, but not limited to the application for review of the ICJ Judgment, appropriate political and diplomatic solutions.” While the ICJ statute provides no room for appealing the Court’s judgments, it offers opportunities for reviewing such judgments if fresh facts are discovered which at the time of the ruling could have substantially altered the position of the Court. However, the Federal Government’s Committee concluded that such conditions do not exist as to warrant a meritorious review of the judgment. The Federal Government has also been warned of the futility of the exercise and the diplomatic blow it might cause Nigeria.

It is clear from the foregoing that the way out for the Bakassi people and indeed, Nigeria is to pursue the option of resettlement with all diligence. Since the people had been given the alternative of choosing where to be resettled by the Obasanjo administration, it is only wise for the Federal Government to honour its pledges. Moving an entire local government area alongside its institutions and administrative structures is not an easy thing, but it is possible where there is commitment and vision. When the issue of the geography of settlement is sorted out, the federal government must move quickly to create a model city for the people. There must be amenities like schools, healthcare and financial institutions to enable the people of Bakassi pursue their legitimate aspirations. Every step necessary must be taken; and every resource needed must be summoned to make sure the people of Bakassi do not suffer any further disadvantages emanating as consequences of this decision. Their fishermen and all the other local professionals and artisans must find opportunities to continue with their lives.

Finally, the issue of Bakassi is not just one of those things. It is a serious issue that has fearful implications for the already fragile security of the Nigerian state. The federal government must take adequate measures to compensate them for the inconvenience caused them. We must not let the corruption virus which has become a national symbol eat into this settlement process. For the people of Bakassi, this is not the time to trade blame. What their priority should be is to be resettled quickly to enable them resume their normal lives. To this end, they need to present a common umbrella body that will advocate their needs in clear, concrete and implementable terms. The Nigerian state owes them a duty to protect their interests especially from oppression and harassment from the bordering Cameroonian authorities. And whatever happens, the people of Nigeria must stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Bakassi.