Analysis of Nigeria-Cameroon Relations

Since the pre colonial era of Africa history, the nations that made up the independent states of Africa never existed in isolation. They extended one form of relations or another to other nations in distant geo-political environments. The study is on the Analysis of Nigeria-Cameroon Relations (1990-2007). By employing historical methodology, the study relied mostly on secondary sources of data. Findings from the study revealed that after Cameroon and Nigeria gained independence in 1960, their relationship shifted from friendly to unfriendly relations as a result of the Bakassi Peninsula. The dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula is a unique case, reflecting both the colonial and modern thirst for oil. The International Court of Justice(ICJ) was designated as the institution to play an important legal role in resolving border conflicts among UN member states. In it's ruling, the court ordered Nigeria to pull its official, troops and police from the peninsula, bringing to an end the conflict that has enclosed the two countries for years. Also, in the same ruling, the ICJ ordered Cameroon to swiftly withdraw its administration and military police forces from Islands of Lake Chad. Both presidents of Cameroon and Nigeria agreed to respect and implement the decisions of the ICJ and establish an implementation mechanism with the help of UN. They also agreed to confidence-building measures including demilitarization of the peninsula and possible economic co-operations with joint ventures from the two countries.