1. Since their independence in
1960, Nigeria and Cameroon have never had total peace on their over 2,300 km
long common border. The maritime boundary has also been disputed many times
and was subject to at least two bilateral arrangements, Yaoundé and Maroua.
This is particularly true of the areas occupied by one party or the other
for over ten years following the violent fighting in 1993 and 1994. The
latter led to over 80% of the Bakassi Peninsula being occupied by Nigerian
forces. With the settlement of the maritime boundary on 11 May 2007,
finalized during a
special meeting of the Mixed Commission (MC), the two countries
have for the first time since 1960 put an end to 47 years of unresolved and
sometimes violent disputes over their common border. Mutual confidence has
been steadily returning amongst the two countries.
2. After the
ruling of the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) on the 10 October 2002, on the “Cameroon and Nigeria land and maritime
boundary”, the MC was established by the United Nations upon request from
the Presidents of Cameroon and Nigeria, to “consider ways of following up
the ICJ ruling and moving the process forward”.
3. Beyond the ruling and other
legal matters, the human, economic and social issues around the border
couldn’t be ignored or minimized. In addition, as is well known, during
foreign occupations loyalty becomes unsteady and may even change. After the
withdrawal and transfer of authority, betrayal, revenge, greed, etc.
reappeared. How to limit the devastating and destabilizing effects of these
developments? How to ensure stable and peaceful cohabitation among the
populations? Finally, how to ensure that there is no regression to
conflict, so frequent in many post conflict situations?
4. Examples of regression back
into crisis in East Timor, DRC, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, etc. were contemplated
when option was made to introduce civilian observers to monitor and observe
the situation on the border between Cameroon and Nigeria. In view of this
specific case and of
peacekeepers’ specifications and costs, the
civilian approach deserved consideration.
5. This approach is presented
as a new diplomatic and security instrument for conflict prevention,
management and resolution. The presence of selected observers (from
different backgrounds, age, sex, etc.) is to help understand the issues,
discuss with the affected populations, liaise with national authorities,
etc. Overall, the presence of experienced observers is meant to reassure the
populations that they are not ignored; deter the disenchanted elements that
they are being watched and offer a channel of communications between these
populations, their governments and the international community at large.
