The Violation of Human Rights during the Bakassi Peninsula Conflict from 1965 to 2013
Abstract
The military skirmishes over the Bakassi peninsula between Cameroon and Nigeria was as a result of the vestiges of colonialism and the discovery of large deposits of natural resources in the area. This study explores the violations of human rights in the Bakassi peninsula during the Bakassi conflict. The study mainly explores how, when and where these human rights abuses were committed, and to a lesser extent why and who committed these abuses. The study adopts the qualitative research method and from it, historical consolidation and content analyses in terms of data collection. The use of secondary data, applied with the thematic approach in this study brings to the fore that there were lots of human rights violations during the Bakassi conflict in the Bakassi peninsula. This study could be utilised by researchers and policy makers to understand human rights trends in the Bakassi peninsula area.
Keywords: Cameroon, Nigeria, Violations, Human Rights, Bakassi Peninsula Conflict
References
A., Okonkwo, "Towards the actualisation of perpetual peace: an inter-state boundary dispute between Nigeria
and Cameroon". (Malmo Hogskola, 2009).
AFP, "Bakassi Peninsula: Pirates Kidnap Cameroonian Prince" Jeune Afrique(2012), daring: https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/bakassi-peninsula-pirates-kidnap-cameroonian-prince/
Aghemelo, A.T, & Ibhasebhor, S., "Colonialism as a Source of Boundary Dispute and Conflict among African States: The World Court Judgement on the Bakassi Peninsula and its Implication for Nigeria". Journal of Social Sciences Kamla-Raj (2006), 13:3, at 177-181.
Akak, E.O., Who owns Bakassi? Anie Enyene Bakassi? (Calabar: The Author, 1999).
Akinterinwa, B.A, "Nigeria and the ICJ Bakassi Magouille"(2002), daring: http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_icj_bakassi_mago.htm
Akinyemi, O, "Borders in Nigeria’s Relations with Cameroun". Journal of Arts and Humanities (2014), 3:9, at 1-8.
Amin, J. A., "Cameroon’s relations toward Nigeria: a foreign policy of pragmatism". Journal of Modern African Studies (2020), 58:1, at 1-22.
Anjoh, R.F-M., "Women in Peace Building and Post-Conflict Development in the Bakassi Peninsula". International Journal for Research in Social Science and Humanities (2017), 3:10, at 10-30.
Anyu, J.N., "The International Court of Justice and Border-Conflict Resolution in Africa: The Bakassi Peninsula Conflict". Mediterranean Quarterly (2007), 18:3, at 39-55
Atim, N-T., "Women caught in Armed Conflicts: The Cameroon vs Nigeria Sovereignty Dispute over Bakassi Peninsula". Project submitted to the WARC-WARA Peace Initiative of West Africa for the fulfilment of the December 2011 Scholarship Award, 2011, at 52.
Baye, F.M., "Implications of the Bakassi Conflict Resolution for Cameroun". African Journal on Conflict Resolution (2010), 10:1.
Braun, Virginia, & Clarke, Victoria, "Using thematic Analysis in psychology". Qualitative Research in Psychology (2006), 3:2, at 79.
Carter,N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. J., "The Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research". Oncology Nursing Forum (2014), 41:5, at 545–547, daring: doi:10.1188/14.onf.545-547
Dos Santos, G.P., "The Bakassi Peninsula: A Discreet Problem with Major Implications". Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS) Viewpoints (2014), 153, at 1-4.
E.E., Alobo, J.A, Adoga & S.P., Obaji, "The ICJ’s Decision on Bakassi Peninsula in Retrospect: a True Evaluation of the History, Issues and Critique of the Judgement". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (2016), 6:10 at 108-117.
Edet, O., Bakassi Peninsula: The Untold Story of a People Betrayed. (United States: Partridge Singapore, 2015).
Fatile, J.O, & Adejuwon, K.D., "Boundary Conflicts and Challenges of Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Nigeria and Cameroon". Wukari Historic Review (2012), 1:1.
Fombo, G.F, "International Politics of Border Conflicts: A Study of the Nigeria-Cameroon Dispute, 1960-2002". (Nsukka: University of Nsukka, Nigeria, 2006),
Funteh, M.B., “The Concept of Boundary and Indigenous Application in Africa: The Case of the Bakassi Boarder Lines of Cameroon and Nigeria”. International Journal on Humanities and Cultural Studies (2015), 1:4.
Ibekwe, C., "Natural Resource Conflict: The Bakassi Lesson for Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan over Abyei", Journal of Global Initiatives (2012), 7:1 at 70.
Inter- Parliamentary Union, "Human Rights. Handbook for Parliamentarians" (2016) 26, at 1-237.
Issaka, M., & Kapinga, Y.N., "Pacific Settlement of Border Disputes: Lessons from The Bakassi Affair and The Greentree Agreement". International Peace Institute (2008), at 2.
Kah, H.K., "The Bakassi Crisis: The Role of the Nigerian and Cameroonian Military, 1981-2013". Conflict Studies Quarterly (2014), 6, at 3-22
Kamto, M., "The Bakassi Affair: Cameroon’s Challenge for Peace. In Pacific Settlement of Border Disputes: Lessons from the Bakassi Affair and the Greentree Agreement". International Peace Institute (2008),
Kinsai, N.S., "Kidnapped DO, Others Freed as More Attacks Are Reported", Cameroon Postline (2011), daring: https://cameroonpostline.com/kidnapped-do-others-freed-as-more-attacks-are-reported/%E2%80%8B
Konings, Piet, "The Anglophone Cameroon- Nigeria Boundary: Opportunities and Conflicts". African Affairs (2005), 104:415, at 293.
Leblond, D., "Total vessel attacked; crew kidnapped off Cameroon". Oil & Gas Journal (November 3, 2010), daring: https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/article/17268063/total-vessel-attacked-crew-kidnapped-off-cameroon
Malcolm, D. E., & Merrills, J. G., "The Land and Maritime Boundary Case (Cameroon V. Nigeria), Order of 15 March 1996». International and Comparative Law Quarterly (1997), 46:3, at 679.
Mbachu, D., "Nigeria: Tension over Bakassi Peninsula. International Relations and Security Network (2008), ETH, Zurich.
McGregor, A., "Cameroon Rebels Threaten Security in Oil-Rich Gulf of Guinea". Terrorism Monitor (2010); 8:43, at 8.
Naudé, P-F., "Cameroun : deux gendarmes tués et plusieurs fonctionnaires enlevés à Bakassi". Jeune Afrique (2011), daring: https://www.jeuneafrique.com/182494/politique/cameroun-deux-gendarmes-tu-s-et-plusieurs-fonctionnaires-enlev-s-bakassi/
Naudé, P-F., "Cameroun : nouvelle attaque d’un groupe rebelle non identifié à Bakassi". Jeune Afrique (2011), daring: https://www.jeuneafrique.com/182414/politique/cameroun-nouvelle-attaque-d-un-groupe-rebelle-non-identifi-bakassi/
Ngalim, A. M., "African Boundary Conflicts and International Mediation: The Absence of Inclusivity in Mediating the Bakassi Peninsula Conflict". African Peacebuilding Network (2016), 9, at 1-27.
Ngang, C.K., "Understanding the Bakassi Conflict. A showcase of Conflict Prevention in Practice". Tuschl R.H. (ed), Research Papers Issue (2007), 04:07, at 1-38
Ngang, C.K., "Understanding the Bakassi Conflict. A showcase of Conflict Prevention in Practice". Tuschl R.H. (ed), Research Papers Issue (2007), 04:07, at 1-38
Ngwane, G., "Preventing Renewed Violence through Peace Building in the Bakassi Peninsula". Jimbri Centre (2014)
Njeuma, M.Z., "Cameroon-Nigeria Frontier: Model for Culture of Peace, 1890-1991". Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Science (2002), 2:3, at 183-201.
Nwoko, K.C., "Human Rights Abuses against the Bakassi People: Are Nigeria and Cameroon Liable?" 2016, daring: https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2016/01/11/human-rights-abuses-against-the-bakassi-people-are-nigeria-and-cameroon-liable/
Okon, P.E, & Abu, P. E., "Public Relations Implications of the Challenges Facing the Bakassi Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria’s Cross River State". International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences (2019), 6:1, at 1-11
Oluda, O., "The Nigeria- Cameroonian Border Conflict: The Bakassi Peninsula Conundrum". Blog post (2011), daring: http://oludaseyi.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-17T00:23:00-07:00&max-results=7
Omoigui, Nowa, "The Bakassi Story"(2010), daring: http://www.omoigui.com.
Piechowiak, Marek, "What are Human Rights? The Concept of Human Rights and Their Extra-Legal Justification" 1999, at 3-14, daring: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236540289
Reuters Staff, " Gunmen Kill 5 guarding Perenco oil site off Cameroon". Reuters (2010), daring: https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-cameroon-attack-20101117-idAFJOE6AG0CI20101117
Sama, C.M., & Ross, J.D., "Reclaiming the Bakassi Kingdom: The Anglophone Cameroon-Nigeria Border". Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Association of African Historians (2009), 13:14, at 103-122
Shirbon, E., “Up to 21 Cameroon troops killed in Bakassi”, Reuters (2007), daring: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1382294
Sone, P.M., " Human Rights and Peace Building in the Bakassi Peninsula in Cameroon" 2014, 12:2;
Tabetah, B.A, "The Perceptions/Views of Cameroon-Nigerian border conflict by the Bakassi people"(Sweden: Uppsala University, 2013)
Tangko, H.N.N., "Human rights violations in the rich-oil Bakassi Peninsula. Research Gate (2020), 1:19, daring DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28778.34241
Tarlebbea, N.K, & Baroni, S, "The Cameroun and Nigeria negotiation process over the converted Oil Rich Bakassi Peninsula". Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences (2010), 2:1
Trochim, W.M, & Donnelly, J.P, Research methods knowledge (Vol 2). (New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, 2001).
Ugbudian, L.I., "The Role of Natural Resources in Nigeria- Cameroun Border Dispute. Global Journal of Human-Social Science: H Interdisciplinary (2018), 18:5, at 8-16.
Voice of Africa, Cameroon Says 11 Dead After Army Clashes with Militants. VOA (2009), daring: https://www-voanews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.voanews.com/amp/a-13-2008-07-24-voa74/340762.html?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16763839980008&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voanews.com%2Fa%2Fa-13-2008-07-24-voa74%2F340762.html
and Cameroon". (Malmo Hogskola, 2009).
AFP, "Bakassi Peninsula: Pirates Kidnap Cameroonian Prince" Jeune Afrique(2012), daring: https://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/bakassi-peninsula-pirates-kidnap-cameroonian-prince/
Aghemelo, A.T, & Ibhasebhor, S., "Colonialism as a Source of Boundary Dispute and Conflict among African States: The World Court Judgement on the Bakassi Peninsula and its Implication for Nigeria". Journal of Social Sciences Kamla-Raj (2006), 13:3, at 177-181.
Akak, E.O., Who owns Bakassi? Anie Enyene Bakassi? (Calabar: The Author, 1999).
Akinterinwa, B.A, "Nigeria and the ICJ Bakassi Magouille"(2002), daring: http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/narticles/nigeria_and_the_icj_bakassi_mago.htm
Akinyemi, O, "Borders in Nigeria’s Relations with Cameroun". Journal of Arts and Humanities (2014), 3:9, at 1-8.
Amin, J. A., "Cameroon’s relations toward Nigeria: a foreign policy of pragmatism". Journal of Modern African Studies (2020), 58:1, at 1-22.
Anjoh, R.F-M., "Women in Peace Building and Post-Conflict Development in the Bakassi Peninsula". International Journal for Research in Social Science and Humanities (2017), 3:10, at 10-30.
Anyu, J.N., "The International Court of Justice and Border-Conflict Resolution in Africa: The Bakassi Peninsula Conflict". Mediterranean Quarterly (2007), 18:3, at 39-55
Atim, N-T., "Women caught in Armed Conflicts: The Cameroon vs Nigeria Sovereignty Dispute over Bakassi Peninsula". Project submitted to the WARC-WARA Peace Initiative of West Africa for the fulfilment of the December 2011 Scholarship Award, 2011, at 52.
Baye, F.M., "Implications of the Bakassi Conflict Resolution for Cameroun". African Journal on Conflict Resolution (2010), 10:1.
Braun, Virginia, & Clarke, Victoria, "Using thematic Analysis in psychology". Qualitative Research in Psychology (2006), 3:2, at 79.
Carter,N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. J., "The Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research". Oncology Nursing Forum (2014), 41:5, at 545–547, daring: doi:10.1188/14.onf.545-547
Dos Santos, G.P., "The Bakassi Peninsula: A Discreet Problem with Major Implications". Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS) Viewpoints (2014), 153, at 1-4.
E.E., Alobo, J.A, Adoga & S.P., Obaji, "The ICJ’s Decision on Bakassi Peninsula in Retrospect: a True Evaluation of the History, Issues and Critique of the Judgement". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (2016), 6:10 at 108-117.
Edet, O., Bakassi Peninsula: The Untold Story of a People Betrayed. (United States: Partridge Singapore, 2015).
Fatile, J.O, & Adejuwon, K.D., "Boundary Conflicts and Challenges of Regional Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Nigeria and Cameroon". Wukari Historic Review (2012), 1:1.
Fombo, G.F, "International Politics of Border Conflicts: A Study of the Nigeria-Cameroon Dispute, 1960-2002". (Nsukka: University of Nsukka, Nigeria, 2006),
Funteh, M.B., “The Concept of Boundary and Indigenous Application in Africa: The Case of the Bakassi Boarder Lines of Cameroon and Nigeria”. International Journal on Humanities and Cultural Studies (2015), 1:4.
Ibekwe, C., "Natural Resource Conflict: The Bakassi Lesson for Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan over Abyei", Journal of Global Initiatives (2012), 7:1 at 70.
Inter- Parliamentary Union, "Human Rights. Handbook for Parliamentarians" (2016) 26, at 1-237.
Issaka, M., & Kapinga, Y.N., "Pacific Settlement of Border Disputes: Lessons from The Bakassi Affair and The Greentree Agreement". International Peace Institute (2008), at 2.
Kah, H.K., "The Bakassi Crisis: The Role of the Nigerian and Cameroonian Military, 1981-2013". Conflict Studies Quarterly (2014), 6, at 3-22
Kamto, M., "The Bakassi Affair: Cameroon’s Challenge for Peace. In Pacific Settlement of Border Disputes: Lessons from the Bakassi Affair and the Greentree Agreement". International Peace Institute (2008),
Kinsai, N.S., "Kidnapped DO, Others Freed as More Attacks Are Reported", Cameroon Postline (2011), daring: https://cameroonpostline.com/kidnapped-do-others-freed-as-more-attacks-are-reported/%E2%80%8B
Konings, Piet, "The Anglophone Cameroon- Nigeria Boundary: Opportunities and Conflicts". African Affairs (2005), 104:415, at 293.
Leblond, D., "Total vessel attacked; crew kidnapped off Cameroon". Oil & Gas Journal (November 3, 2010), daring: https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/article/17268063/total-vessel-attacked-crew-kidnapped-off-cameroon
Malcolm, D. E., & Merrills, J. G., "The Land and Maritime Boundary Case (Cameroon V. Nigeria), Order of 15 March 1996». International and Comparative Law Quarterly (1997), 46:3, at 679.
Mbachu, D., "Nigeria: Tension over Bakassi Peninsula. International Relations and Security Network (2008), ETH, Zurich.
McGregor, A., "Cameroon Rebels Threaten Security in Oil-Rich Gulf of Guinea". Terrorism Monitor (2010); 8:43, at 8.
Naudé, P-F., "Cameroun : deux gendarmes tués et plusieurs fonctionnaires enlevés à Bakassi". Jeune Afrique (2011), daring: https://www.jeuneafrique.com/182494/politique/cameroun-deux-gendarmes-tu-s-et-plusieurs-fonctionnaires-enlev-s-bakassi/
Naudé, P-F., "Cameroun : nouvelle attaque d’un groupe rebelle non identifié à Bakassi". Jeune Afrique (2011), daring: https://www.jeuneafrique.com/182414/politique/cameroun-nouvelle-attaque-d-un-groupe-rebelle-non-identifi-bakassi/
Ngalim, A. M., "African Boundary Conflicts and International Mediation: The Absence of Inclusivity in Mediating the Bakassi Peninsula Conflict". African Peacebuilding Network (2016), 9, at 1-27.
Ngang, C.K., "Understanding the Bakassi Conflict. A showcase of Conflict Prevention in Practice". Tuschl R.H. (ed), Research Papers Issue (2007), 04:07, at 1-38
Ngang, C.K., "Understanding the Bakassi Conflict. A showcase of Conflict Prevention in Practice". Tuschl R.H. (ed), Research Papers Issue (2007), 04:07, at 1-38
Ngwane, G., "Preventing Renewed Violence through Peace Building in the Bakassi Peninsula". Jimbri Centre (2014)
Njeuma, M.Z., "Cameroon-Nigeria Frontier: Model for Culture of Peace, 1890-1991". Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Science (2002), 2:3, at 183-201.
Nwoko, K.C., "Human Rights Abuses against the Bakassi People: Are Nigeria and Cameroon Liable?" 2016, daring: https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2016/01/11/human-rights-abuses-against-the-bakassi-people-are-nigeria-and-cameroon-liable/
Okon, P.E, & Abu, P. E., "Public Relations Implications of the Challenges Facing the Bakassi Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria’s Cross River State". International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences (2019), 6:1, at 1-11
Oluda, O., "The Nigeria- Cameroonian Border Conflict: The Bakassi Peninsula Conundrum". Blog post (2011), daring: http://oludaseyi.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-17T00:23:00-07:00&max-results=7
Omoigui, Nowa, "The Bakassi Story"(2010), daring: http://www.omoigui.com.
Piechowiak, Marek, "What are Human Rights? The Concept of Human Rights and Their Extra-Legal Justification" 1999, at 3-14, daring: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236540289
Reuters Staff, " Gunmen Kill 5 guarding Perenco oil site off Cameroon". Reuters (2010), daring: https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-cameroon-attack-20101117-idAFJOE6AG0CI20101117
Sama, C.M., & Ross, J.D., "Reclaiming the Bakassi Kingdom: The Anglophone Cameroon-Nigeria Border". Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Association of African Historians (2009), 13:14, at 103-122
Shirbon, E., “Up to 21 Cameroon troops killed in Bakassi”, Reuters (2007), daring: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1382294
Sone, P.M., " Human Rights and Peace Building in the Bakassi Peninsula in Cameroon" 2014, 12:2;
Tabetah, B.A, "The Perceptions/Views of Cameroon-Nigerian border conflict by the Bakassi people"(Sweden: Uppsala University, 2013)
Tangko, H.N.N., "Human rights violations in the rich-oil Bakassi Peninsula. Research Gate (2020), 1:19, daring DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28778.34241
Tarlebbea, N.K, & Baroni, S, "The Cameroun and Nigeria negotiation process over the converted Oil Rich Bakassi Peninsula". Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences (2010), 2:1
Trochim, W.M, & Donnelly, J.P, Research methods knowledge (Vol 2). (New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, 2001).
Ugbudian, L.I., "The Role of Natural Resources in Nigeria- Cameroun Border Dispute. Global Journal of Human-Social Science: H Interdisciplinary (2018), 18:5, at 8-16.
Voice of Africa, Cameroon Says 11 Dead After Army Clashes with Militants. VOA (2009), daring: https://www-voanews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.voanews.com/amp/a-13-2008-07-24-voa74/340762.html?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16763839980008&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.voanews.com%2Fa%2Fa-13-2008-07-24-voa74%2F340762.html
Published
2023-05-31
How to Cite
ACHUO KPWA, Stephen.
The Violation of Human Rights during the Bakassi Peninsula Conflict from 1965 to 2013.
INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL ON LAW, SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 1, p. 111-125, may 2023.
ISSN 2775-5045.
Available at: <https://jurnal.unej.ac.id/index.php/idj/article/view/38085>. Date accessed: 22 nov. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.19184/idj.v4i1.38085.
Section
Articles
