An Appraisal Of The Dominant Causes Of Boundary Conflict Between Nigeria And Cameroun: The Bakassi Peninsula Perspective (Published)
This paper appraised the dominant causes of boundary conflict between Nigeria and Cameroun with reference to the Bakassi peninsula perspective. The realist theory was used as a framework of analysis. Data were derived from secondary sources and content analysis based on logical deduction and analysis of documents was adopted. The study found out that the dominant causes of the conflict include geographical and constitutional positions; colonial-legal sources, demographic, politico-strategic and economic issues. It further reveals that the Court resolutions on the conflict in favour of the Republic of Cameroun was informed by the colonial-legal sources, as such, it provoked reactions from various segments of the Nigerian public including Bakassi indigenous population, their paramount ruler, the Cross River State Youths Assembly and Nigerian Senate. But with the mediation of UN/Secretary General between the two countries’ presidents, Bakassi territory was officially handed over to the Camerounian Government. Hence, Cameroun-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) was established to finalized border demarcation between the two countries. Therefore, the study recommended among others that to further strengthening Nigeria-Cameroun relations: Both countries governments should desist from neglecting border areas, but encourage infrastructural developments, effectively occupying of border areas to avoid future incursions; Both countries governments should strictly abide by all diplomatic notes and agreements they have or will exchange between each other now and in future; Be committed to Organization of African Unity (OAU) declaration, which stipulates that independent African countries were bound to respect inherited colonial borders; that as both countries have recognized unprofitable nature of armed conflict and ceased fire, CNMC should be a permanent structure where problems arising from the management of the disputed areas be debated and resolved. However, the paper concluded that both countries should take advantage of conflict resolution to explore possible areas of cross-border collaboration and described peaceful conflict resolution by both countries, a model for all nationals fighting over conflicting interest(s).
Keywords: Bakassi, Conflict Resolution, Economic interest., Nigeria-Cameroun relations, Reactions
THE MOSAIC LAW AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (Published)
This paper aims at making contributions in finding solutions to the problems, which conflict leaves behind wherever and whenever it happens. Disagreements or controversies between opposing parties that lead to conflicts in all aspects of life when not well managed have left tales of woes that are akin to reminiscence of after war effects in areas where they happened. The all-knowing God, who knew ahead of time what might happen to the fledgling nation of Israel as she entered into her Land of Promise, provided the Mosaic Laws that would checkmate misdemeanours of the people in their inter-relationship with each other and God Himself. This is purely a library research. Several books were consulted, which made it easy to crystallize a message for application. It is expected that any people that apply the message of the Mosaic Law in their daily living are likely to avoid conflicts that have devastating effects on them. Although the laws were given to Israel to govern her life in the land of promise for blessing instead of cursing, there was an attendant purpose in the giving of the Mosaic Law to Israel—a purpose that still stands today. Simply put, its proper use is to show man his total helpless and hopeless condition before a righteous and just God. The thesis of this paper is therefore to encourage people to employ the tenets of the Mosaic Law and to avoid or ameliorate the problem(s) caused by conflicts.
Keywords: Conflict Resolution, Mosaic Law
POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA (Published)
The study analyses the Poverty Alleviation Programmes as an alternative to Peace and Conflict Resolution in Northern Nigeria; it links the frequency of Conflicts (insecurity) in the region the incidence of absolute and abject poverty. The study predominantly utilized secondary data. In the final analyses, it is shown that conflicts in the region are traceable to poverty. The study concludes that, peace, stability and security is the foundation for achieving the socio-economic development; therefore, preventing conflict, resolving conflict and for peace to be built, poverty has to be alleviated or eradicate the poverty tension that breeds ground for conflict, which requires a genuine commitment for poverty alleviation programmes and involvement of constituents people at every level–design, implementation and monitoring of poverty reduction programs
Keywords: Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Ethno-religious, Insecurity, Peace, Poverty