Nigeria-Cameroon Boundary Dispute: The Quest for Bakassi Peninsular

Abstract

This paper appraises African Boundary Politics within the theme of boundary conflicts, questions after independence – irredentism, the concern and intervention of international bodies with focus on Nigerian-Cameroon Boundary Disputes: The Quest for Bakassi Peninsular. The aim is to highlight European conquest and division of Africa contrary to existing traditional boundaries in the Pre-Colonial Africa and how modern African boundaries evolved in the colonial era affected post-colonial era territorial boundaries, cross-border activities and the basis of boundary disputes in modern African states. The paper noted the level of cooperation achieved in resolving boundary issues, securing interventions and other approaches to peace settlement. Research method adopted is historical approach which took cognizance of existing scholarly works and the use of simple descriptive analysis of historical data to authenticate their accuracy in the advancement of knowledge.

Keywords: African Boundary Politics, Nigerian-Cameroon Boundary Dispute, Bakassi Peninsular, Boundaries, Cross-Border Relations, Colonialism, Treaties, International Law and Diplomacy, ICJ, Nigeria, Cameroon.