AN ASSESSMENT THE IMPACT OF THIRD PARTY INTERVENTION IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION. A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA VERSUS CAMEROON OVER BAKASSI PENINSULA.

Abstract

The dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula is a unique case, reflecting both the colonial and the modern thirst for oil. The Bakassi Peninsula is a swampy, 600 square mile area that may contain more than 24B barrels of crude 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. Legal doctrines are also established as prerequisites in determining the relative merits of claims and their final disposition. In this conflict, the ICJ issued a key ruling on the land and maritime boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria. The court ordered Nigeria to pull its officials, troops, and police from the peninsula, bringing to an end the conflict that had 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 decision of the ICJ and establish an implementation mechanisms with the help of UN. They also agreed to confidence-building measures including demilitarization of the peninsula and possible economic cooperations with joint ventures from the two countries.