Nigeria sells Bakassi north to Cameroon

[gegyx]

An event to salute.
An example of wisdom and reason, coming from Africa ...
http://www.lexpress.fr/info/infojour/re ... p?id=25559

Reuters - Monday August 14, 2006, updated at 21:16

Nigeria hands over northern Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon

Nigeria has returned to Cameroon control of the northern Bakassi peninsula after evacuating thousands of soldiers from the territory.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided in 2002 that Nigeria should cede the peninsula, rich in oil deposits, to Cameroon, after decades of conflict between the two countries which had almost gone to war in 1981.

The Nigerian flag was replaced by that of Cameroon in Archibong, capital of the northern part of Bakassi, during a ceremony marking the official transfer of sovereignty.

"We are determined to prevent the conflict over Bakassi from turning into war. Borders, especially those established in colonial times, do not really count," said Nigerian Minister of Justice Bayo Ojo.

Residents of Archibong attended the ceremony, which was attended by officials from both countries and a representative of the United Nations.

"Generals wage war, but they obey the orders of their presidents," said General Martin Luther Agwai, Nigerian chief of staff, while presenting a commemorative plaque to his Cameroonian counterpart.

PACIFIC RESOLUTION

The government of Cameroon has so far made no statement on the transfer, but official media have welcomed it.

"This is a great day for Cameroon ... and Nigeria," said Cameroonian radio and television.

"This event demonstrates the will of the Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities to do everything in their power so that their two peoples continue to live in peace and harmony in Bakassi," added the public body.

The representative of the UN, Kieran Prendergast, for his part declared that the transfer of power in Bakassi would in the future be an example to be pondered for the diplomatic institutions of a peaceful resolution of a conflict.

The Nigerian government will keep administrative control of the south of the peninsula for two years to give residents time to decide whether they wish to stay in Bakassi - with the possibility of retaining their nationality or taking Cameroonian nationality - or if they prefer leave for Nigeria.

Many of the 250.000 inhabitants of the peninsula have sworn to resist this transfer. Last week, young people hoisted flags at various points in the region declaring the secession of a "Democratic Republic of Bakassi".

[elephant]

yep, you know everything happens: there is even a set of 6, then 10, then 12, then 25 countries that used to hit each other for 13 or 14 good centuries that have declared peace for the years 50 .....