Recent Statements by some senior Military Leaders in Nigeria indicate that there is great displeasure with the outcome of the Border Conflict with neighboring Cameroon. With these statements the chances of War may have increased drastically.
The Chief of the Nigerian Defence Staff General Owoye Azazi told an Ad Hoc Committee of the Nigerian Parliament that Former President Obasanjo did not consult the Military when Nigeria followed the ruling of the International Court of Justice and ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. The Chief also stated that the ceding of Bakassi was not in the best interests of Nigeria.
Another Statement that was made by General Azazi should be of interest to Security Analysts. He expects that if and or when Conflict erupts between the two neighboring States then France will honor its Military Defense Pact with Cameroon. In recent weeks Nigeria has approached both the United States and Britain regarding increasing security in the Niger Delta. But with this information could this be an effort to determine what assistance Nigeria can expect from the Anglo-American Alliance.
One interesting aspect that cannot be overlooked is the status of the People living in the Peninsula. There is a substantial number of English Speakers in the region. These people are not happy either with the UN. It seems that when both Nigeria and Cameroon received their respective Independence from their Colonial Powers the People of Bakassi were placed with Nigeria. The Anger towards the UN deals with the fact that their Independence was not even an Option for them to vote on.
In recent months there has been an increase in the dissatisfaction amongst the People of the Bakassi Peninsula. There have been sporadic attacks against members of the Cameroonian Military. In at least one instance an attack by Bakassi Rebels was blamed on the Nigerian Military.
Nigeria has the option to appeal the ruling of the ICJ for some time longer. Whether or not the Country will choose this option or launch hostilities is not known at this juncture. It is not known whether or not any potential conflict will be local in scope or has the potential to draw in other neighboring states. But any action without the involvement of the Bakassi People will be shortsighted.
But in the eyes of some people the only thing that is important will be keeping the Oil in the region safe.
President Obasanjo is from the West. President Yar’Adua from the North.They do not know much about the East and the efik or Bakassi people. It does not border them about the suffering of the people because they are not their people. War or leave Bakassi alone
All names in the neighboring villages are Efik names : such as Atabong, there is another Atabong in the Okobo Oron local government.Abana Ntuen, Ine Ekoi, Ine anwanga,Ine okpowo,Ine Ekoi, Utan Antai,Utan Brama,Esuk Mba,Inua Abasi, All in Efik just to mention a few.The people do not in the least speak french.
Bakassi belongs to the people of Nigeria the Efik from time immemorial.It will be a great overempowerment if Bakassi is taken away from the owners because of oil. The Efik are the owner of Bakassi. If bakassi is ceded to Cameroon I see no reason why there should be no war.