Damilola Oyedele
26 July 2008
Abuja And Ernest Chinwo in Calabar — President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday said Nigeria was ready and fully committed to a successful hand over of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun on August 14, 2008, in accordance with the Green Tree Agreement signed between the two countries.
President Yar'Adua was speaking to the new Camerounian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Salaheddine Abbas, after he presented his letters of credence at State House.
"We must ensure that the August 14 hand over goes ahead, in accordance with the Green Tree Agreement, and then we shall continue to work together to further strengthen our existing very cordial and brotherly relations," he said.
President Yar'Adua said consultations would continue prior to August 14, to ensure a smooth transition in the area for the benefit of all concerned, adding that Nigeria and Cameroun had a long history of cordial and mutually beneficial relations.
Earlier, the new High Commissioner, Mr. Salaheddine Abbas, said Cameroun welcomed the cooperation from Nigeria, and was fully committed to the successful implementation of the Green Tree Agreement.
He said his posting to Nigeria was a return home, because he was from a region of Cameroun close to Adamawa State and that his country would play its own part in the implementation of the treaty, which cedes Bakassi peninsula to Cameroun.
Yesterday's promise by Yar'Adua came despite the controversy that is trailing the Green Tree Treaty.
The House of Representatives had recently directed its committees on Justice, Integration in Africa and Foreign Affairs to meet with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa and his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Chief Ojo Maduekwe to resolve the controversy regarding the treaty.
The House also called on Yar'Adua to forward a copy of the treaty to the National Assembly for further legislative action as required by law.
The House resolved to meet with the Ministers, following a motion sponsored by the Minority Whip and Leader of the Action Congress (AC) Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and 80 other members of the House.
There is however palpable tension in the area following unconfirmed reports that 18 people had been killed Thursday after an armed conflict between Camerounian gendarmes and suspected militants. Although the Cross River State government denied knowledge of the incident, locals say they fear a possible escalation of violence in the area, especially in Amoto and Abana.
Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media to the Acting governor, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, told THISDAY that the government had yet to receive any report of the incident. He noted however that the state government was determined to abide by the terms of the Green Tree Agreement as well as meet its obligations to everyone affected by the relocation. There has been a fresh influx of displaced people to the resettlement cam in Ikang with the number rising above 3,500 as at Friday.
Three other ambassadors presented their letters of credence yesterday. They were Ms. Iman Younes of Lebanon, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Mohammed Mahmould of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and Mr. Qubi Bouchraya Bachir of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.
President Yar'Adua challenged them to take necessary steps to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries and Nigeria during their tenures, and assured them of government's support and cooperation to enable them achieve this.
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