An Analysis of Nigeria – Cameroon Relations (1990 – 2007)
Chapter One
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aims and objectives of this project work are listed as follows:
- To analyze Nigeria – Cameroon relations under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration;
- To examine the International Court of Justice judgment and its impact on Nigeria – Cameroon relations;
- To make appropriate recommendations in which Nigeria – Cameroon relations could be improved.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE
CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION
Boundary & Border
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines boundary as a line that marks a limit, a dividing line and territorial claim, land or an area of land under the control of a country or ruler, or an area claimed as belonging to one person, group, or animal and defended against others who try to enter it1 A Border, on the other hand is the part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer part; it is the divide between two contiguous territorial units.2 Geographically, borders and boundaries both denote lines of demarcation between areas or spheres of jurisdiction of defined authorities whether of individuals or groups, but while the former generally refers to lines of divide between sovereign entities, the latter may also apply to internal demarcations.3 International boundaries or borders comprise all the boundaries between any two nation States. They may be defined from point to point in a treaty, an arbitral award, or a boundary Commission report. The very important role of international boundaries in the recent times is underlined by prolonged negotiation and hard bargaining which often precede their settlement and also by the promptness with which states react against the violation of their territorial sovereignty.4
Conflict
Conflict is endemic in human society. It is a reality, which all societies from the pre- historic times till the present have witnessed at one time or the other. Conflict is a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aim of the opponent is to neutralise, injure or eliminate their rivals.
Oxford advanced learner’s Dictionary defines conflict as a situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument. When Nation – States in the international system distance on issues that concerns their national interest, conflict normally ensues; which if not properly managed can lead to war. Otite opined that conflict arises from the pursuit of divergent interests, goals, and aspirations by individuals and groups in defined social and physical environment.7 Simon; in his works “Crisis and conflict awaiting the state Actor” sees conflict as a common phenomenon in international politics, that nations are prone to enter into conflict, and crisis, especially when issues that concern their National interest are involved.8 Obiozor opined that conflict is an integral part of nature, which is usually expressed by human being and nations.
CHAPTER THREE
GEOPOLITICS OF THE BAKASSI DISPUTE
THE COLONIAL LEGACY
Before the scramble for Africa, Bakassi was part of the ancient kingdom of Calabar. The people in the main settlements in the Bakassi Peninsula owed allegiance to the Obong of Calabar. The Obong of Calabar placed not only Calabar, but also the Efike and Ibibio (in the Peninsula) under the status of a British protectorate via a Treaty on 10 September 1884. The chiefs of Efike and Ibibio were co-signatories to the Treaty. Subsequently, through a series of bilateral treaties and other legal instruments, the territory was ceded by the British in 1913, first to Germany, and later placed under the mandate of the League of Nations and the Trusteeship of the United Nations in 1919 at the end of the First World War. Finally, it was ceded by plebiscite to independent Cameroon in 1961.
The critical legal instruments that changed the status of the Peninsula and its inhabitants were the following (Aghemelo and Ibhasebhor 2006; Omoigui 2006):
The agreement between the United Kingdom and Germany signed in London on 11 March 1913 entitled ‘(1) the Settlement of the Frontier between Nigeria and the Cameroons, from Yola to the sea, and (2) the Regulation of Navigation on the Cross River’.
CHAPTER FOUR
NIGERIA – CAMEROON RELATIONS UNDER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO’S ADMINISTRATION
On assumption of office as president, Obasanjo made diplomatic moves to redeem the battered and shattered image of the country which was as a result of the unending transition to democracy, increase in the abuse of fundamental human rights and the regular killing of innocent citizens in the 1990s. This led to the imposition of international sanctions on Nigeria.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
It is important to reiterate that the objective of this study was to examine the Nigerian-Cameroon Relations from 1990 to 2007.
SUMMARY
This study aimed at having a critical analysis of the influence of contract drawing on building project. The study opened with chapter one where the statement of the problem was clearly defined. The study objectives and research hypotheses were defined and formulated respectively. The study reviewed related and relevant literatures. The chapter two gave the conceptual framework, empirical and theoretical studies. The third chapter described the methodology employed by the researcher in collecting both the primary and the secondary data. The research method employed here is a qualitative and an empirical analysis, the result from empirical analysis shows. The study analyzed and presented the findings of the study, while the fifth chapter gives the study summary and conclusion.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This work attempted to discuss the shared relationship between Cameroon and Nigeria, enhanced by their geographical and historical immediacy.
It is observable from the discussion in this project that Nigeria’s foreign policy in the Fourth Republic experienced its zenith under President Obasanjo. The Bakassi peninsula, ruling was a great lesson to the world that peace could still be attained through diplomatic negotiation and a sign that the UN could still be looked upon as a world unifier and promoter of peace among nations.
The effective withdrawal of the Nigerian military, police and administration from Bakassi indicates that it is possible for African countries in conflict to resolve matters amicably and avoid carnage, blood-shed, socio-economic and political dislocations, which many post-independent African nations have inflicted on themselves. Other things being equal, the entire process leading to the final handing-over day is a model for the peaceful settlement of disputes in Africa. Reflections on the possible socio-economic implications of the Bakassi conflict resolution were anchored by four aspects: expenditure-reducing and expenditure-switching effects of peaceful settlements; wealth-generating effects of international credibility; cross-border activities enhanced by confidence building; and the need for accompanying measures to weaken sympathies for disruptive views propagated by negative social movements.
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