afrol News, 14 August - Nigeria has handed over the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon despite threats of bloodshed, bringing an end to a territorial dispute, which almost brought the two countries to war in 1981.

Handing over ceremony was moved from the peninsula's main town to Calabar in Nigeria amid security concerns, as armed groups against transfer have threatened to take up arms.

A spokesman for Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua said though the process was painful, Nigeria is bound by international commitments to keep its promise to hand back peninsula in the name of peace.

Cameroon said final handover would mark an end of a crisis to Bakassi dwellers following a series of attacks which have left over 50 people dead in border fighting last year.

One of Cameroonians celebrating the handover said: "We are going straight to the place, and we're going to be happy."

"The government has abandoned its duties," said Mr Kayode Fasitere, lawyer acting for some displaced from Bakassi who sought to have the handover delayed.

The transfer of Bakassi had been described by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as "a model for negotiated settlements of border disputes".

The majority of the local population considers itself Nigerian, but an international court ruled in favour of Cameroon in 2002. At least 100,000 people have moved from the peninsula in recent years to Nigeria.

Bakassi peninsular, with its proximity to Niger Delta, heart of Nigeria's oil production, industry experts believe could hold significant amounts of oil deposits that would help boost Cameroon's declining production of around 90,000 barrels per day.

Nigerian government agreed to transfer Bakassi two years ago in line with a 2002 World Court order, but sporadic gun battles, political disputes and legal battle had caused delays.

International court of Justice gave Bakassi to Cameroon in a 1913 agreement between colonial powers Britain and Germany.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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