A STUDY ON THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA-CAMEROON RELATIONS:
ABSTRACT
The object of this study is an examination of Nigeria – Cameroon border relations with special emphasis on the
areas of conflict and co-operation from 1970 – 2004. The study defines some key concepts like boundary,
conflict, and cooperation. The study traces the origin of the border conflict to the colonial period. The study
examines further the boarder situation before, during and after independence. The study identifies the factors
that were responsible for the boundary problems between the two countries and why amicable resolution was
difficult to achieve. The study made use of historical and descriptive method in analysing issues raised. The
study suggests means to achieve a level of understanding and good relations among the two countries.
Key words: Border, conflict, cooperation.
Back Ground to the Study
Border conflicts are some of those problems that constitute a grave and permanent factor of dissension among
nations14
. Nigeria and Cameroon conflict is one of those cases. Nigeria and Cameroon are located on the West
Coast of the Continent of Africa. Both of them shared common political and economic institutions as part of
British West Africa. Nigeria with the population of about 150 million covers a land area of 924,630km extending
from the Gulf of Guinea in the South to Niger and Chad Republics in the North. It shares common border with the
Republic of Benin on the West and the Republic of Cameroon on the East.15 Cameroon on the other hand is a
smaller country both in land mass and in population. The population of Cameroon is estimated at 9.7 million,
occupying an area of 475,442km. Cameroon shares borders with the Chad Republic on the North, with the Central
African Republic on the North-West, with the Republic of Gabon and the People’s Republic of Congo on the
South and with Nigeria on the West.16
The boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon Republic which was engendered by the long but not clearly
defined border (1680 kilometres or 1050 miles) could be traced to the pre-colonial period when the European
imperialist sat at Berlin in the year 1884 to partition the Continent of Africa among themselves. However, the
boundary dispute had remained a source of conflict in the bi-lateral relations of the two countries since
independence.17 The line which emerged as the first section of the Eastern International Boundary of Nigeria was
the Rio-del Rey – Yola line described in the Anglo –German agreements of 1885 and 1886. This is the Eastern
Nigeria – Western Cameroon International boundary. This Zone includes the territory watered by the Cross River
and its tributaries issuing from the Cameroon Mountains and the Plateau of Bemanda.18 The region near the Coast
is a low –lying plain, swampy, encumbered with mangrove trees.Further to the East, the massive bulk of the Cameroon Mountains rises to a height of 13,350 feet. Its lower slope
to the West is also covered with dense forest, to the North; it falls away into thickly wooded country which
gradually gives way to the grasslands of the Bemanda Plateau and North Ogoja.19 The first Anglo-German
agreement in respect of the Nigerian-Cameroon boundary was signed in 1885. The 1885 agreement only provided
a map – based description from a point between Longitude 89o
42’ and 8o0 46’ East at which Rio del Rey entered the sea to the Cross River Rapids.20 This line was extended North-eastwards to Yola by a convention of JulyAugust, 1886. In an agreement signed on the first of July 1890, a slight modification was made on the line from
the coast to the Cross River when it was discovered that there was no river named ‘Rio del Rey’21Thus the starting
point was adjusted to the head of Rio del Rey Creek. Following the Berlin Convention of November 1893
between Britain and Germany, an agreement was signed that defines the Nigeria –Cameroon boundary from Yola
to Lake Chad. In all, the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon by 1893 had been defined to a point on the
Southern Shore of Lake Chad 35 minutes east of the Meridian of the centre of the town of Kuka22
. The boundary
line gave no consideration for physical features or the ethnic boundaries. The Borno kingdom was split into two.
Similarly, Adamawa and Marghi were each divided between Germany and Great Britain.23
In 1903, the Anglo-German demarcation Commission surveyed the Yola region and the area to the North. They
attempted to locate the Yola arc but latter abandoned it and substituted it with a line through the confluence of the
Benue and Fao River. to Bayere.. This boundary eventually formed the basis of the final Anglo-German
agreement in respect of a definitive boundary24. On October, 1910, another agreement was signed between Britain
and Germany on the demarcation of Yola sea boundary, which according to Anene proved to be the most difficult
and intractable boundary to be drawn in the Cross River Akpayafe estuary area25 Moreover, Article 19 and 20 of
the 1909 Anglo-German agreement states inter alia that: “should the talweg of the lower Akwayafe upstream from
the line Bakassi point – King point change its position, in such a way as to affect the relative position of the
Talweg and the Mangrove Island, a new adjustment of the boundary shall be made. On the basis of the new
positions as determined by a map to be made for the purpose. (And), should the lower course of Akwayafe so
change its mouth as to transfer it to Rio del Rey, it is agreed that the area now known as the Bakassi Peninsula
shall still remain German territory. The same condition applies to any portion of territory now agreed to as being
British which may be cut off in similar way.26
Furthermore, the agreement equally allows both the Germans and the British ships to make use of the most
navigable course between the open sea and the Akwayafe River. It was further agreed that the marking or
dredging of the navigable waterways of the Akwayafe River from three miles limit “landward” could be carried
out either by the German or British Government or both based on agreement between the two powers. It was
equally stated in the agreement that the fishing rights of the native population of the Bakassi Peninsula in the
estuary of the Cross River shall remain as they were before the demarcation. 27 Generally, the delimitation of
Nigeria Cameroon boundary was very slow; as a result, the Germans were reported to have crossed the boundary
frequently to take over some important towns in the British territories. The West African Association of Liverpool
had to show concern in 1900, imploring the British Government to find solution to the boundary problem quickly,
so as to prevent further encroachment. 28
The people occupying the Nigeria- Cameroon boundary zone falls into two categories- the Bantu and the semi
Bantu29. The Zone is considered to be the borderland between the Bantu and the Semi-Bantu speaking peoples. It
is however difficult to establish a clear cut demarcation between the two linguistic groups. The Bantu-speaking
peoples include the Abaw, the Bakundu, the Balundu, and the Balung. They could also be found around the
Western area of the Cameroon Mountains. The Semi-Bantu have been categorised to include the Efik, the
Ibiobio, the Ekoi, the Boki, and many heterogeneous elements found along the Cross River. Others such as the
Iyala, the Yache and small intrusive groups from the Benue valley found around the North of the Cross River
Bend also belong to the Semi-Bantu.30 Prior to colonialism, the Nigerian-Cameroon relationships at the beginning
flourished due to shared geographical boundary, commercial contacts and social relations among the people and
their local chiefs. It was on record that the chiefs of Calabar in Nigeria had diplomatic relations with their
neighbours in Western Cameroon.31 For instance, the Negroid, the Bantu and Fulani ethnic groups who falls
within ‘Niger –Congo’ have contacts with the Bantu that occupy part of the Cross River State of Nigeria, from
where they extend to the Southern forest region of Cameroon. The colonial powers partitioned Africa without any
recourse to existing political and ethnic structures. That is why one finds people of the same language, culture,
tribe and ancestral affinities separated into different countries.For instance, ethnic groups such as Egun, Yoruba, Ibariba, Ewe, Mende, Hausa, Fulani etc are found in different
sides of international boundaries.32 Hence, the origin of the International boundary dispute in Africa in general
and that of Nigeria-Cameroon border dispute in particular could be traced to the forceful alignment of ethnic
nationalities of different cultures, tradition and languages. Ironically, the colonial officers who never knew most
part of Africa resorted to drawing lines on maps, giving away lands, mountains, Rivers and lakes to one another
without the consent of the indigenous people. The cordial relations and the peaceful co-existence between Nigeria
and Cameroon however continued during the early days of colonialism when Western Cameroon became a British
Protectorate in the aftermath of World War 1. Thus, Nigeria and Western Cameroon were governed by Britain as
a single colonial possession. This development however further strengthened the friendly relations between the
two countries.
1. Conceptual Clarification
1.1. Boundary & Border
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines boundary as a line that marks a limit, a dividing line and
territorial claim, land or an area of land under the control of a country or ruler, or an area claimed as belonging to
one person, group, or animal and defended against others who try to enter it1 A Border, on the other hand is the
part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer part; it is the divide between two contiguous territorial units.2
Geographically, borders and boundaries both denote lines of demarcation between areas or spheres of
jurisdiction of defined authorities whether of individuals or groups, but while the former generally refers to lines
of divide between sovereign entities, the latter may also apply to internal demarcations.
3
International boundaries or borders comprise all the boundaries between any two nation States. They may be
defined from point to point in a treaty, an arbitral award, or a boundary Commission report. The very important
role of international boundaries in the recent times is underlined by prolonged negotiation and hard bargaining
which often precede their settlement and also by the promptness with which states react against the violation of
their territorial sovereignty.4
1.2. Conflict
Conflict is endemic in human society. It is a reality, which all societies from the pre- historic times till the present
have witnessed at one time or the other. Conflict is a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and
resources in which the aim of the opponent is to neutralise, injure or eliminate their rivals. Oxford advanced learner’s Dictionary defines conflict as a situation in which people, groups or countries are
involved in a serious disagreement or argument.6
When Nation – States in the international system distance on
issues that concerns their national interest, conflict normally ensues; which if not properly managed can lead to
war. Otite opined that conflict arises from the pursuit of divergent interests, goals, and aspirations by individuals
and groups in defined social and physical environment.7
Simon; in his works “Crisis and conflict awaiting the
state Actor” sees conflict as a common phenomenon in international politics, that nations are prone to enter into
conflict, and crisis, especially when issues that concern their National interest are involved.8
Obiozor opined that conflict is an integral part of nature, which is usually expressed by human being and nations.9
He observed that conflict is usually hidden, but only manifest, when individual or collective interest is at stake.
Conflict is functional and plays significant role in human and state affairs. Part of the roles conflict plays is to test
the will of nation and the extent to which state actors can go in protecting the national interest in time of crisis.
Bolaji Akinyemi in his study “Conflict, Peace and Security among the states” argued that conflict is structural in
origin, inevitable and endemic to the modern organisation.10 The need to resolve conflictual cases in the
international system led to the foundation of United Nations as International Organisation meant to foster peace
and security. This suggests that state actors acknowledge the primary role of conflict in their relationship with
one another.
Butros Butros Ghali in his treatise views conflict as disagreement between two Nations or groups of people. It is
an expression of national disaffection over an issue at stake. Conflict according to him is a powerful process
having potential for desirable and undesirable consequences. In the history of modern world, conflict at several
times has led to war while wars had brought about profound changes.11 Jide Osuntokun regarded the Nigeria –
Cameroon relations as that of occasional friction, which is not permanent. That the diplomatic relation between
Nigeria and Cameroon will continue irrespective of discord between the two states. This according to him was
due to the commercial interaction that had long existed between the two countries before independence and which
still existed to the present time. That the historical, cultural and trade relations between the two countries over
ride occasional friction at the boarder.12
Bassay Atte, while examining the issue of political and boarder relations between Nigeria and Cameroon
attributed the conflict between them to mutual distrust.13 that the government of the two states need to remove the
seed of discord in order to actualise the goals and aspiration of ECOWAS.
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