Late bid to stop Bakassi handover

Hundreds of residents of the Bakassi peninsula say they have declared independence, days before Nigeria is to start transferring control to Cameroon. The Bakassi Movement for Self Determination would reject Cameroonian sovereignty, the residents said. They have also refused a Nigerian government offer to relocate them elsewhere in Nigeria.

Nigerian forces are due to start leaving the region this week, after the government agreed to the handover.

"The people have declared their own republic, known as the Democratic Republic of Bakassi. We will no longer have anything to do with Nigeria, since Nigeria does not want anything to do with us," said Tony Ene, the interim head of the movement.

The AP news agency reports that supporters waved new blue and white Bakassi flags, while Nigerian soldiers watched.

Respect

In June, Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo said he would abide by a 2002 World Court ruling to transfer the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon.

Mr Obasanjo has tried to reassure Bakassi residents that their safety would be guaranteed even when Nigerian troops leave.

The territorial dispute sparked military clashes between Nigeria and Cameroon during the 1990s.
Most of those who live in Bakassi are Nigerians and are strongly opposed to coming under Cameroonian jurisdiction.

A special transitional arrangement will be in place for five years.

Cameroon has pledged to respect the culture, language, beliefs, property and fishing rights of the peninsula's people, and not to impose "discriminatory" taxes.

Bakassi juts into the Gulf of Guinea, an area which may contain up to 10% of the world's oil and gas reserves.

It is also rich in fish.

The 2002 International Court of Justice ruling was based on a 1913 treaty between the former colonial powers, Britain and Germany.

The agreement also settles the border between Nigeria and Cameroon for 1,690km (1,056 miles) up to Lake Chad.

Some villages further north have already been exchanged.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/5251712.stm

Published: 2006/08/07 08:59:14 GMT

© BBC MMVI

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 07.08.2006 12:43

Auspicious  Villager

# 2 Oooojigbijigbijigbi! Yawa don gaz. That's what happens when you desert your people and leave them to fend for themselves. They wanted to be Nigerians on their land, but the Obasanjo Administration was like "Nnnno, either you become Camerounian's or relocate inland as displaced Nigerians". Now, they have helped themselves to what was theirs originally. How can a land populated by a people whose majority identify with Nigeria be Cameroun's? We await to see how this plays out. Auspicious Posted by Auspicious| 07.08.2006 13:05

N.A.R.  Villager

# 3 More katakata again! Dis nah ploy anyhow! I speculate that Bakassi may never actually be handed to Cameroon, If these people are serious! Posted by N.A.R.| 07.08.2006 13:07

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 4 Long LIVE THE REPUBLIC! It's about time. Cameroon is even more corrupt than Nigeria. May God protect the Bakassi people and let them actualize this dream. I bet the Gendarme and France will try to annihilate this people but God will see them true. Posted by Exxcuzme| 07.08.2006 13:10

Adeo

# 5 This is what you call a master stroke. How is the World Court going to settle this and in whose favor? These are people who want to stay put in Nigeria while some people want to leave Nigeria. This is good timing to call off the bluff. They are neither Nigerians nor Cam. Posted by Adeo| 07.08.2006 13:12

Onos  Villager

# 6 This is a wonderful news!!!!!!!!!! I am truly happy for the Bakassians. Nigeria rejected them and they dont want to be identified as Camerounians; so there is nothing wrong with them declaring their independence. Shame on the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Shame on the Federal Repubic of Cameroun!! A bigger shame on the International Court of Justice!!! May God richly bless the Federal Republic of Bakassi if it survives and all her people - Amen! Posted by Onos| 07.08.2006 13:17

Shoko Loko Bangoshe  Villager

# 7 I doubt if this action will amount to much. I think if any group of people is going to mount a struggle for independence, the people have to be fired up by a cause that they have believed in for a long time, not by a a recent decision reportedly made by 'hundreds of people' of a total population of between 100,000 and 300,000 people. Now I'm going to get slated by those who think I'm against Bakassi independence... let's sit back and watch. :) Posted by Shoko Loko Bangoshe| 07.08.2006 13:57

IZONERE  Villager

# 8 I can only salute their bravery! Obasanjo was a fool to obey the ICJ. How many Western countries woudl accept it's decisions? Wether they succeed or not, they have been brave enough to try. Posted by IZONERE| 07.08.2006 14:09

Don Limpopo  JJC

# 9 I love this new development. I sincerely urge the Bakassi people to remian steadfast, focused, determined and consistent in their resolution of having their own republic independent of Nigeria and Cameroon. I hope there are enough credible leaders among the Bakassi people that would continue to give the rest of the population more inspiration and encouragement to pursue this idea to a logical conclusion. Long live Democratic Republic of Bakassi! Don Limpopo Posted by Don Limpopo| 07.08.2006 14:11

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 10 Baba Aje wrote: ________________________________________________________________________ I think if any group of people is going to mount a struggle for independence, the people have to be fired up by a cause that they have believed in for a long time, ________________________________________________________________________ It is not that the did or not "believed" in the cause for a long time. This people have always known themselves to be Nigerian (not that they are thrill about it) for a long time and now 40 odd years later, they are making them start learning french. From an evil you know to a devil you dont know. I hope they will achieve their aim but unfurtunately, when Cameroon starts bombing them, noone will come to their rescue. I just pray they it works out form them, maybe Nigeria will do thesame to other regions and the country falls apart. May, just maybe we can then come together, just as the european union, on our own volition to be a true nation. Posted by Exxcuzme| 07.08.2006 14:30

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