CAMEROON-NIGERIA MIXED COMMISSION MEETINGS

Final Communiqués

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TENTH MEETING

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All Opening Statements

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

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1-2 June 2004

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 their Excellencies Presidents Paul Biya of Cameroon and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, held its Tenth meeting in Abuja on 1 and 2 June 2004.   Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, chaired the meeting of the Commission while Senior Minister Amadou Ali of Cameroon and Prince Bola Ajibola (CFR) of Nigeria headed their respective delegations.

2. The Mixed Commission recognized and welcomed the representatives of the African  Development Bank and the World Bank at its Tenth meeting.

3. The Chairman briefed the Mixed Commission on the outcome of the tripartite mission to Tunis on 10 and 11 May 2004, during which the delegation met with the President of the African Development Bank and his staff.    They reviewed the status of the trans-boundary Enugu-Mutengene road development project.   The Bank informed the mission of its readiness to support this road development project, as well as its preparedness to consider other projects in the area of the environment especially, for which the two countries will submit appropriate proposals.

4. As agreed at its ninth meeting, the Mixed Commission carried out a field visit to the Land Boundary and to the Bakassi Peninsula, respectively from 15 to 19 May 2004.   The Mixed Commission visited Ndabakura and Narki (in Borno State/Far North Province), Bourrha Wango (in Adamawa State/Far North Province), Jalingo, Banyo, Dorofi, Takum and Mbererego (in Taraba State/Adamaoua Province/Northwest Province), Danare, Bodam, Mamfe, Calabar, Abana/Jabane, Archibong/Akwa, and Ekondo Titi (in Cross River State/Southwest Province).  The Mixed Commission met with the local populations, listened to their concerns, and explained to them the work of the Mixed Commission and the efforts of the two governments to enhance and further consolidate the peaceful relations between them.

5. The Mixed Commission adopted the Terms of Reference and Work Plan elaborated by the Working Group on the Maritime Boundary at its first meeting on 28 May 2004 in Abuja.   The Working Group will present a map in December 2004, featuring a delineation of the Maritime Boundary as delimited by the International Court of Justice in its decision of 10 October 2002, while it will submit its report, including recommendations, to the Mixed Commission in February 2005.

6. The Observer Personnel Group for the Lake Chad area submitted a report to the Mixed Commission on its first quarterly follow-up field visit to the area between 23 and 24 May 2004.   The Mixed Commission adopted this report and noted with satisfaction the general state of peace and good relations prevailing in the area in the aftermath of the transfer of authority.  It also noted that the local authorities of the two countries are addressing the problems and issues, many of them concerning social services, faced by the local populations in the Lake Chad area.  The Mixed Commission appeals to the international community and the donor agencies to give effective support to the affected populations in these areas.

7. In an effort to ensure thorough planning of its activities, the Mixed Commission continued its deliberations begun at its 9^th meeting on the revision of the content of its Working Calendar.  In conformity with the agreed adjustments, it adopted the revised Working Calendar for the period from 15 June to 7 October 2004.

8. The Mixed Commission adopted the report of its Sub-Commission on Demarcation, including the report of its  Senior Cartographic Consultant on a revised demarcation schedule.  It noted with satisfaction that, pursuant to its decision taken on 8 February 2004, the additional contributions of 1.75 Million USD were deposited in the Trust Fund for Demarcation by each country in the first half of May 2004.  It noted with appreciation the receipt  of a donation of one Million pounds sterling by the United Kingdom.  The Mixed Commission called on other donor countries to support its demarcation work.