BAKASSI PENINSULA CRISIS The Bakassi Peninsula crisis was a border dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon over the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula, rooted in colonial-era agreements but escalating in the 1990s due to economic interests and renewed armed clashes. Cameroon took the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled in 2002 that the peninsula belonged to Cameroon, a decision formally recognized and transferred in 2008. The resolution involved a complex legal process and subsequent transfer of sovereignty, though it led to displacement of inhabitants and a continued humanitarian crisis. Origins and Escalation Colonial Legacy: The core of the dispute lies in conflicting interpretations of treaties made by the colonial powers, particularly Britain and Germany, which defined the borders of their respective territories in Africa. Post-Independence Ambiguity: After independence, Nigeria and Cameroon signed agreements in the 1970s to clarify their maritime boundaries. However, Nigeria never formally ratified the Maroua Declaration of 1975, which implied Cameroonian ownership of Bakassi, while Cameroon considered it a valid agreement. Economic Motivations: The discovery of oil and rich fishing resources in the peninsula heightened tensions between the two nations, as economic interests fueled the conflict. Armed Clashes: In response to unresolved border disputes, armed clashes between military forces of Nigeria and Cameroon erupted in the early 1990s. Resolution ICJ Ruling: Cameroon brought the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1994. July 2002 Verdict: The ICJ ruled that Bakassi belonged to Cameroon, based on its review of colonial-era diplomatic exchanges and treaties. August 2008 Transfer: Following the ICJ ruling, Nigeria formally transferred sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon on August 14, 2008. Aftermath Displacement and Neglect: The transfer of sovereignty led to the displacement of many residents of Bakassi, primarily Oruron people, who became refugees and faced neglect and lack of basic services in their new conditions. Continued Humanitarian Concerns: The region remains a site of humanitarian concern, with a need for international cooperation to provide healthcare, education, and economic empowerment to the displaced populations.