NEWS ANALYSIS:Biya, Nigeria - The Long Awaited Handshake
By Peterkins Manyong
On Thursday August 21, President Paul Biya did something unusual and really pleasant. Something even his opponents would be extremely vicious not to appreciate.
He extended a hand of fellowship to Nigeria. The following extract says it all
"It stands to reason that Cameroon and Nigeria must henceforth do
everything possible to consolidate the settlement reached and seize the
opportunity afforded them to develop their relation in this fields. In
this regard I want to reaffirm that Cameroon will honour all the
commitments made."
"Concerning our Nigerian brothers and sisters who have chosen to reside in Cameroon, that is those living in Bakassi as well as those who in large numbers have been living on Cameroonian territory."
He went further to reassure the Nigerian "brothers and sisters" that their rights would be respected and guaranteed. There is therefore reason to believe that this is the dawn of a new era in the relationship between Cameroon and Nigeria."
These are the heart warming words of a President whose 26 year rule is a history of hostility with his gigantic neighbour.
Biya's Ingenuity
You cannot prevent war by fearing it. By this observation, ace columnist, RODCOD GOBATA, simply means a war situation can be avoided by avoiding the circumstances that can result to it and not by expressing fear of it.
Nigeria' invasion of the Bakassi Peninsular in 1993 was a consequence of Cameroon's neglect of the area. Cameroon's deployment of troops was not born of the conviction that it was confident of evicting Nigerian troops by physical force, but merely as legitimate self defence, (self defence is Nature's eldest law) By taking the matter to the ICJ, President Biya demonstrated uncommon political ingenuity.
Veritable Big Brother
Nigeria is unarguably "the" Giant of Africa," being the most thickly populated nation. Her troops constitute the bulk of Ecomog forces that helped to bring order in Sierra Leone, by crushing Foday Sankoh and his rebels. It would have thus been foolhardy for Cameroon to believe she could repeat the Biblical David's feat over Goliath.
The ICJ verdict however laid most of the blame on Nigeria and in passing the verdict in favour of Cameroon on October 10, 2002, once more emphasised the triumph of logic over brute force.
Understandably, Nigeria was not eager to part with such a rich area as Bakassi. But being Africa's "Big Brother" owed the continent and the world a duty to serve as a model, especially as she is eyeing the enviable position of a UN Security Council member.
Nigeria like Cameroon is a Commonwealth nation and faithful to the tenets of true gentlemanliness, felt obliged to give Caesar his due. This she did despite stiff opposition from Nigeria nationals in Bakassi.
The civilized and peace loving world was particularly scandalised when President Biya, not only failed to pick the calls of Abubakar Abdusehami, the "gentlemanly President who took over from the usurper, Sani Abacha. Even when the Nigerian leader took the pains to visit Cameroon and discuss the matter, Biya kept him waiting at Nsimalen International Airport.
This hostility towards Nigeria had as precedence the declarations of his own top officials who placed the major crisis plaguing Cameroon on the doorsteps of Nigeria. When the SDF was launched on May 26, 1990, the state owned news media claimed 10,000 Nigerians marched in Bamenda and that the Nigerian anthem was sung there.
In an interview granted Jeune Afrique Magazine, Biya in 1999, claimed that the Northwest Province was clamouring to secede and join Nigeria, thereby portraying Nigeria as a destabilising and expansionist power.
True greatness lies in having power and refusing to misuse it. Despite such derogatory remarks, Nigeria refused to attack Cameroon until the near insane Sani Abacha shot his way to power. By ignoring the warnings of the Niger Delta rebels and handing over Bakassi, Nigeria has lived up to its reputation as Africa's leading nation.
Why Nigeria Deserves Praise
Petroleum or crude oil is an extremely desirable product because it is the greatest source of energy in the world (petrol paraffin, gas, etc).To part with an area estimated to contain 10 percent of the world's oil requires an extreme exertion of will power.Only a nation that rates integrity higher that ill gotten wealth can take such a decision, even against the verdict of its own high court.
Had Biya himself been cooperative, Nigeria's task would have been easier. But Biya not only snubbed Nigerian leaders on the issue, but turned a blind eye on the continuous harassment of the SCNC saga, alleged that the Northwest Province was clamouring to break away and join Nigeria.
Several Nigerians have been brutalised, property seized, some and others even killed by security forces who have often gotten away with it.With President Biya's recent declaration, such sadistic conduct is expected to stop.
Nigeria on its part should also show mutual respect for Cameroonians living in her own territory. Reports from some Cameroonians resident there have not been quite comforting. There is no reason whatever for anybody to think Nigeria and Cameroon can't be excellent neighbours. Amadou Ahidjo helped the Nigerian Government under Yakubu Gowon to crush the Biafrans who tried to secede.
He visited Nigeria when six Nigerians were shot by a Cameroonian marine officer off the shores of Limbe. Nigeria showed concern for Cameroon, Unity, although against the interest if its Anglophone minority, when Obasanjo's Government ignored the decision of the Abuja High Court in 1999 to table the Southern Cameroon's case at the Hague. Nigeria would therefore not be held responsible should the Southern Cameroonians succeed in their secessionist bid.
A visit to Nigeria to thank that government for its truly brotherly and gentlemanly behaviour would be a masterstroke of diplomacy.France, Cameroon's colonial master is doing excellent business with Nigeria, even better than with Cameroon. There is no reason why Cameroon can't do same or better.
The ability to call anywhere in the world at cheap discounted prices -
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