Page 31 – 48 | Timothy Onimisi

DOI: 10.30690/ijassi.23.03

 

Abstract

The Bakassi Peninsula has been a disputed piece of territory between Nigeria and Cameroon for decades and the source of several conflicts in 1980s and the early 1990s.  The discovery of potential oil reserve in the water surrounding the peninsula has only heightened tensions between the two countries.  This paper examined the historical context in the Bakassi Peninsula conflict between Nigeria and Cameroon, and Ambozian claim, up to the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ in 2002). It employs an historical analysis, with a secondary source of data collection.  This study discovered that the Efik people of Nigeria has historically settled in Bakassi Peninsula, until General Yakubu Gowon the former Nigeria Head of State, overwhelmed by the support which Cameroon extended to Nigeria during her civil war, signed a treaty with Cameroon. And the discovery of oil in the Bakassi Peninsula has only heightened the problem. Based on these findings the researcher recommends that both countries should come together for greater and more productive cross border cooperation in safeguiding the exclusive economy zone. It also recommends closer ties among the Africa countries in order to solve their difference outside the world conventional court and this mechanism will lead to the stronger soci-economic ties amongst the countries.

Keywords: Conflict, Confliction Solution, Bakassi Peninsula, Historical Context, Oil Reserve

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