BY NFORMI SONDE KINSAI & LEOCADIA BONGBEN
Ould-Abdallah Ahmedou, Chairman of the Mixed Commission on the implementation of the verdict of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, on the Bakassi dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon, has expressed fears that the credibility of the Mixed Commission would be put to question, if the withdrawal of authority from the peninsula, programmed to end by September 15, is again altered.
He observed that the image of the Commission would be tarnished the more if nothing is done to speed up the demarcation process, while responding to questions from the press at the end of the 11th session of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, which held at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, August 18 to 19.
Speaking at the beginning of the session aimed at adopting the concept of operations for the withdrawal and transfer of authority at the Bakassi Peninsula, as well as the submission of the report of the Working Group on the Withdrawal and Transfer of Authority in the Land Boundary Area, the Chairman and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said the field visit programmed to Bakassi for August 9 and 10 was postponed due to technical reasons.
He said the implementation process must continue as planned, adding that the delay so far observed has never been politically motivated. He lauded the able leadership of Amadou Ali and Prince Bola Ajibola, at both political and technical levels, for, as he put it, success recorded is as a result of their competence, understanding, confidence and commitment to the peace process.
He reiterated the need for continuous warning to ensure that the rights of the affected populations are not hurt.
He disclosed that the work of the Commission goes beyond simple symbolism to confidence building, based on respect of the law and the determination to project the image of Africa as a continent of peace.
Assessing the achievements of the Commission, he identified the visit last July of the Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, to Cameroon, as a secondary benefit of the Mixed Commission, in the normalisation of relations. He reiterated the need to further strengthen and improve the climate of peace building.
Amadou Ali, Justice Minister and Head of the Cameroonian Delegation, hammered on the request of 4 million US dollars for the transfer, while lamenting the gross insufficiency of funds for assistance to affected persons. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to peaceful resolution of the conflict, saying President Obasanjo’s visit was part of confidence building measures.
Prince Bola lauded the level of growing confidence between the two countries, as well as the determination of members of the Mixed Commission and especially the UN, France, Britain and the European Union for their support. He said the signing of the non-aggression pact during the visit of the Nigerian Head of State to Cameroon was another measure to ensure peace.
Referring to the Lake Chad rehabilitation project, he said Nigeria has contributed US 2.5 million dollars for feasibility studies. He also said communities in the Lake Chad area continue to live in harmony after the transfer of villages, adding that a lot still needs to be done.
The resolutions adopted included the schedule of the 12th session of the Mixed Commission for Abuja from October 7 to 8, 2004.
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