President Mohammadu Buhari has assured Camerounian President, Paul Biya that Nigeria would not go contrary to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ’s) decision on Bakkassi Peninsula.
The assurance is coming on the heels of the allegation that continues to access hydrocarbon from the oil rich Peninsula despite the International Court of Justice( ICJ) judgement that ceded the region Cameroon
Buhari stated this while fielding questions at a joint press conference shortly after the signing of a bilateral agreement and security between the two countries in Abuja.
The president announced that a committed has been set up with members from both countries to deliberate on the matter, adding that while the report of the committee was being awaited, Cameroun needed not to worry as Nigeria would not go contrary to ICJ’s decision.
According to him, “On this issue, I will like the government and people of Cameroun to keep their minds at peace. Nigeria, we are an internationally respectful and abiding nation. Somehow there was a crisis between the two nations on Bakassi Penisula over the hydrocarbon exploitation. This issue is being dealt with by the International Court of Justice”.
He continued, “The technical part of the extent of international interest forms the second part of your question. On maritime resources, there is a committee of experts comprising Cameroun and Nigeria sides. I cannot fully answer that question until after the results of this committee report gets to us and when they submit the report, I expect that with a few of us that are still around, we shall sit together and see what is the best way for the two countries. So, feel secured and be at peace”.
On why Cameroun allegedly accommodated suspected terrorists, who ran to the country for safety after killing Nigerians, Biya stated that the allegation was unfounded; assuring that Cameroon was committed to ending insurgency in the lake Chad basin.
In his words, “Yes I have had of this information. I heard it in New York during conferences that Cameroun serves as basis for Boko Haram but what can Cameroun benefit from that? Is it the ideologies? Are we going to benefit from finances? No. It was just bad press. Cameroon remains focused and committed to the fight against Boko Haram”.
Meanwhile, President Buhari at a dinner and cultural night organised in honour of the visiting President of Cameroon and his wife, Chantal Biya at the Presidential Villa commended the government for giving protection to over 56,000 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) from Nigeria since July 2014.
The president also commended the United Nations and other international donor agencies for their assistance to IDPs across the country.
He condoled with the families of Boko Haram victims along the Nigeria/Cameroon border.
According to him, “Our special condolences go to families of our fallen heroes who had sacrificed their lives to safe guard our territorial integrity and provide security of lives and property of our people “Permit me to use this occasion of your Excellency’s visit to Nigeria to once again extend my personal gratitude and that of the Federal Government for your country’s hosting of over 65,000 Nigerian refugees since July 2014”.
“We also appreciate the assistance of the United Nations System, International donors, local and international non-governmental organisations and the ordinary Cameroonian families who share their meager provisions with the refugees in the spirit of African brotherhood. We thank them all”. he said
