afrol News, 29 July - Top officials of Cameroon and Nigeria began crucial talks on Green Tree Agreement surrounding the handover of the disputed oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon on 14 August.

Nigeria and Cameroon had clashed over ownership of Bakassi before turning to the International Court of Justice for redress. The legal battle ended in Cameroon's favour, with the court ordering Nigeria to handover Bakassi to the former.

Nigeria had earlier shown its reluctance to handover Bakassi to Cameroon. But President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's assurance that his country would honour the implementation of the handover process had resulted to a flurry of diplomatic and bilateral activities between the two countries. Along that line, Cameroonian President Paul Biya dispatched a special envoy to deliver a special message to the Nigerian leader.

He had reacted to purported claims by the Nigerian military officials that they should have been contacted on the security implication on the transfer before a hasty decision was reached with Cameroon.

Mr. Yar'Adua saw no reason why the two countries' "long history of cordial and mutually beneficial relations" be put at risk, and therefore called for consultations on the issue ahead of the 14 August handover.

President Yar'Adua and his Vice President Goodluck Jonathan dedicated several hours holding meetings with Cameroonian officials and resettlement committees on how to amicably nail the long running dispute.

Both countries expressed commitment to ensure an earlier agreement on the handover process is strictly implemented, with President Yar'Adua urging his Cameroonian counterpart to take a leading role in the establishment of structures that will safeguard the people and resources of the Gulf of Guinea.

"As major stakeholders in the area," Nigerian leader said, "we have a joint responsibility to ensure that we take a leading role in the establishment of structures and a force to safeguard our people and resources towards a collective security of the Gulf of Guinea."

"I am pleased that Nigeria and Cameroon are committed to the Green Tree Agreement, and see it as a watershed to deeper economic, social, military relations," Mr. Yar'Adua assured Cameroonian special envoy.

"We must work closely together at the Mixed Commission on agreements that need to be signed and implemented in the aftermath of the August 14 handover," he said, calling for an "extensive and comprehensive" discussion with Cameroonian officials so that the handover process is free from hiccups.

Cameroonian envoy and Minister of External Relations Henri Eyebe Ayissi commended Mr. Yar'Adua for his personal involvement in the handover process and assured his government's assurance to ensure that all Nigerians who remain in Bakassi after the handover "enjoy usual hospitality." He also assured appropriate assistance to those who vacate the area.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories