CAMEROON-NIGERIA MIXED COMMISSION MEETINGS

Final Communiqués

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SEVENTH MEETING

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All Opening Statements

Communiqué adopted at the Seventh meeting of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission
established pursuant to the Joint Geneva communiqué of 15 November 2002

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2-3 December 2003

1. The Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, which was established pursuant to the Joint Communiqué adopted at the meeting held on 15 November 2002 in Geneva between His Excellency President Paul Biya of Cameroon and His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, held its seventh meeting in Yaounde on 2 and 3 December 2003.

2. His Excellency Mr. Amadou Ali, Ministre d’Etat in charge of Justice, Keeper of the Seals of Cameroon, led the Cameroonian delegation. His Excellency Prince Bola Ajibola (CFR), former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led the Nigerian delegation. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Mixed Commission, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, chaired the meeting. The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, while discussions were conducted in an open, constructive and transparent manner.

3. Nigeria again raised the issue of the Draft Protocol for the protection of the rights of the Affected Populations in the Lake Chad Area which it had presented during the sixth meeting of the Mixed Commission in Abuja. Cameroon reiterated that the issue should be addressed within the framework of the Cameroon – Nigeria Joint Commission. After due discussion, the Parties agreed to continue exchanges of views and address the issue at the eighth meeting of the Mixed Commission which will be held in Abuja in February 2004.

4. The Mixed Commission adopted the report of the Working Group on withdrawal and transfer of authority in the Lake Chad Area. It agreed with the proposal of the Working Group that the withdrawal and the handover in the Lake Chad Area will take place from 8 to 18 December 2003. The Parties emphasized the fact that this process should be carried out smoothly and peacefully. In that regard, it agreed with the proposal of the Working Group that the Mixed Commission observer personnel be set up immediately in the Lake Chad Area for a period of one year since this will strengthen the confidence among the Parties. The Mixed commission further recommended that the Cameroon – Nigeria Joint Commission (CNJC) meet every year instead of every two years. Finally, it recommended the creation within this CNJC of a Sub-committee on cross-border security cooperation.

5. The Mixed Commission considered the issues related to the maritime boundary including the proposal of Nigeria to set up a Sub-commission on these issues. Both parties addressed these issues extensively. The Mixed Commission agreed to take up this issue during its Eighth meeting in Abuja in February 2004.

6. The Mixed Commission was addressed on the activities of the Sub-commission on Affected Populations and the Sub-commission on Demarcation. In that regard, it approved the program of the forthcoming visit to the Land Boundary (second phase) and Bakassi Peninsula, which will take place in January 2004, subject to possible amendment in the event of securing the use of helicopters to be explored by the Chairman. It was agreed that the Secretariat will propose dates for the Mixed Commission’s visit to the same area.

7. The Mixed Commission was also addressed on the efforts undertaken by the Chairman as regards the seeking of funds from Development Partners for the implementation of its activities. The Mixed Commission agreed to undertake a Tripartite visit to Development Partners between mid-February and mid-March 2004. The Chairman will undertake necessary contacts with the view to determining the dates of these visits.

8. The Mixed Commission discussed the possibility of organizing a conference with the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in order to determine ways and means of revitalizing the activities of the Organization. This conference which should bring together stakeholders and donor institutions should pave the way for the organization of an Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of States of the member countries. The Chairman was given the task of exploring the effective implementation of these proposals in close cooperation with the Executive Secretary of the LCBC.