OPENING
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MIXED COMMISSION AND SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE
UNITED NATIONS, SAID DJINNIT
*
Abuja,
19 June 2008
Prince Bola Ajibola, Head of the Nigerian
Delegation,
Vice-Prime Minister Amadou Ali, Head of the
Cameroonian Delegation,
Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic
Corps,
Members of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed
Commission,
Members of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to be here in
Abuja to attend this Twenty-Second Meeting of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed
Commission. Allow me first to thank Prince Bola Ajibola and the Nigerian
authorities for the warm welcome accorded to me and my delegation, and the
excellent arrangements made to ensure a successful meeting.
I would also like to express my thanks and
appreciation to both Heads of delegation for the kind words they have
addressed to me.
As I join you as the new Chairman of the
Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, I feel deeply honored to be associated
with this unique peace and confidence-building process in the Continent. I
pledge to do my utmost to continue the excellent work done by my
predecessors and to encourage the Parties to expedite the process and
further strengthen their relations and cooperation. In this regard, I wish
to thank Prince Bola Ajibola and Vice-Prime Minister Amadou Ali for the warm
welcome they extended to me last month, when I undertook visits to both
countries to familiarize myself with the Mixed Commission issues. Following
these visits, I am pleased to state clearly that I feel much encouraged as
both Parties, at the highest level of Government, reiterated their
commitment to the full implementation of the judgment of the International
Court of Justice of 10 October 2002 and the Greentree Agreement, as well as
to addressing outstanding issues, including the transfer of authority of the
“Zone”. I wish to commend the leaders of both countries for their continued
commitment and for their inspiring courage and wisdom.
It is also with a deep sense of pride that I
note that the mandate entrusted to the Mixed Commission in 2002 by the
leaders of the two countries and UN Secretary-General, has been implemented
according to expectation. The withdrawals and transfers of authority in the
Lake Chad Area and in the Bakassi Peninsula became effective in 2004 and,
following the Greentree agreement, on 14 August 2006. The delimitation of
the maritime boundary was agreed upon on 11 May 2007. In spite of difficult
terrain, steady progress has been achieved in the demarcation of the land
boundary.
In the light of the concerns expressed by the
affected populations and the calls made by both countries, either for
resettlement or for development, we, at the United Nations, have initiated
consultations involving UN country teams in Nigeria and Cameroon and the
donor community with the view to supporting the efforts of the two
governments.
As the Chairman of the Mixed Commission, I
intend to mobilize the resources and capacities of the United Nations in
order to provide a coordinated support to the efforts of the two countries
towards finalizing the demarcation process and consolidating their
cooperation. I also intend to encourage the two parties to adopt
confidence-building measures that will contribute to further cementing their
relations. Indeed, as the Representative of the UN Secretary-General, and as
an African, I have a keen interest in seeing to it that this shining example
of peaceful resolution of border dispute is emulated all over Africa where
most of the boundaries remain undemarcated.
I pledge to leave no stone unturned to ensure
that the obstacles we might face in the process will not negatively affect
the existing momentum towards finalizing the peaceful settlement of the
dispute.
Again, I am highly encouraged by the
commitment and wisdom shown by both Heads of delegation as well as by both
countries and their leadership.
It is with this note of hope that I am
pleased to declare open this Twenty-Second Session of the Mixed Commission.
Thank you for your attention.
