By
NOWA OMOIGUI
Nowa Omoigui undertakes an historical excursion into the agreements on Bakassi
dispute and asserts that the Obong of Calabar voluntary signed a treaty of
protection with the British in 1884 who eventually ceded it to Germany
NOWA OMOIGUI
Nowa Omoigui undertakes an historical excursion into the agreements on Bakassi
dispute and asserts that the Obong of Calabar voluntary signed a treaty of
protection with the British in 1884 who eventually ceded it to Germany
ORIGINS of the Dispute: When the Obong
of Calabar signed a “Treaty of Protection” with Britain on September 10, 1884,
Britain agreed to “extend its protection” to the Obong and his Chiefs. The
Obong agreed and promised to refrain from entering into any agreements or
treaties with foreign nations or Powers without the prior approval of the
British Government.
That
is, he signed away his Kingdom as a British protectorate. This type of
subterfuge was carried out with many of our ancestors. All of this was before
“Nigeria” was created.
is, he signed away his Kingdom as a British protectorate. This type of
subterfuge was carried out with many of our ancestors. All of this was before
“Nigeria” was created.
Note too that unlike agreements
between metropolitan powers these so called protectorate agreements with
African Kingdoms did not have precise definitions of boundaries. On November
15, 1893, Britain and Germany defined their boundaries in Africa, supplemented by
another agreement on March 19, 1906. These covered British and German
Territories from Yola to Lake Chad.
between metropolitan powers these so called protectorate agreements with
African Kingdoms did not have precise definitions of boundaries. On November
15, 1893, Britain and Germany defined their boundaries in Africa, supplemented by
another agreement on March 19, 1906. These covered British and German
Territories from Yola to Lake Chad.
In 1900, 1903 and 1906, key
declarations made – and militarily enforced – which created the colonies of
‘Northern Nigeria’ and ‘Southern Nigeria’ (inclusive of the Colony of Lagos).
the Obong of Calabar was neither consulted nor did he resist.
declarations made – and militarily enforced – which created the colonies of
‘Northern Nigeria’ and ‘Southern Nigeria’ (inclusive of the Colony of Lagos).
the Obong of Calabar was neither consulted nor did he resist.
This was all conducted between
metropolitan powers and they understood what they were doing. “Protectorates”
became “Colonies”. Note the difference. In 1913, Britain – for the colonies of
“Southern” and “Northern” Nigeria – and Germany – for “Kamerun” – reached an
agreement on their border from Yola to the Sea.
metropolitan powers and they understood what they were doing. “Protectorates”
became “Colonies”. Note the difference. In 1913, Britain – for the colonies of
“Southern” and “Northern” Nigeria – and Germany – for “Kamerun” – reached an
agreement on their border from Yola to the Sea.
Agreement on their border
The first of these agreements was
signed in London on March 11, 1913 titled: “(1) The Settlement of the Frontier
between Nigeria and the Cameroons, from Yola to the Sea and (2) The Regulation
of Navigation on the Cross River”.
signed in London on March 11, 1913 titled: “(1) The Settlement of the Frontier
between Nigeria and the Cameroons, from Yola to the Sea and (2) The Regulation
of Navigation on the Cross River”.
The second was signed at Obokum on
April 12, 1913 by Hans Detzner, representing Germany, and W. V. Nugent,
representing Britain. It addressed the precise demarcation of the Anglo-German
Boundary between Nigeria and Kamerun from Yola to the Cross River. There were
eight accompanying maps.
April 12, 1913 by Hans Detzner, representing Germany, and W. V. Nugent,
representing Britain. It addressed the precise demarcation of the Anglo-German
Boundary between Nigeria and Kamerun from Yola to the Cross River. There were
eight accompanying maps.
For Bakassi (also spelled Bakasi)
peninsula in particular, the Germans were interested in shrimps and an
undertaking that Britain would not seek to expand eastwards.
peninsula in particular, the Germans were interested in shrimps and an
undertaking that Britain would not seek to expand eastwards.
The British were interested in
uninterrupted and secure sea lane access to Calabar, a key trading post. Since
the Germans already had the option of using Douala environs as a port, they
conceded the “navigable portion” of the offshore border to Britain. In
exchange, Britain conceded the Bakassi peninsula proper to Germany. In other
words, to get Germany’s cooperation not to threaten access to Calabar, Bakassi
peninsula was conceded by Britain.
uninterrupted and secure sea lane access to Calabar, a key trading post. Since
the Germans already had the option of using Douala environs as a port, they
conceded the “navigable portion” of the offshore border to Britain. In
exchange, Britain conceded the Bakassi peninsula proper to Germany. In other
words, to get Germany’s cooperation not to threaten access to Calabar, Bakassi
peninsula was conceded by Britain.
The Obong did not resist. Note that
“Nigeria” did not yet exist. This was long before General Gowon was born. In
January 1914, “Nigeria” was created by amalgamation.
“Nigeria” did not yet exist. This was long before General Gowon was born. In
January 1914, “Nigeria” was created by amalgamation.
Neither the Obong nor any other
traditional ruler, Emir, or Chief anywhere in “Nigeria” was consulted about it
let alone its borders. As was the practice then, it was done for British
economic reasons – to extend the railway system of “Northern Nigeria” to the
sea and to use excess tax revenues – derived from spirits – from “Southern
Nigeria” to correct a budget deficit in “Northern Nigeria”. British and German
maps of “Nigeria” from January 1914 clearly show Bakassi peninsula in Kamerun.
There was no resistance from the Obong of Calabar or his people or any other native
“Nigerians” for that matter.
traditional ruler, Emir, or Chief anywhere in “Nigeria” was consulted about it
let alone its borders. As was the practice then, it was done for British
economic reasons – to extend the railway system of “Northern Nigeria” to the
sea and to use excess tax revenues – derived from spirits – from “Southern
Nigeria” to correct a budget deficit in “Northern Nigeria”. British and German
maps of “Nigeria” from January 1914 clearly show Bakassi peninsula in Kamerun.
There was no resistance from the Obong of Calabar or his people or any other native
“Nigerians” for that matter.
The First World War broke out in 1914.
In 1916, Britain invaded German Kamerun. Among the Nigerian troops and carriers
fighting for Britain were natives of Nigeria, including some from present
Cross- River State. At the end of the war, all German territories were divided
between France and Britain by the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1916, Britain invaded German Kamerun. Among the Nigerian troops and carriers
fighting for Britain were natives of Nigeria, including some from present
Cross- River State. At the end of the war, all German territories were divided
between France and Britain by the Treaty of Versailles.
The League of Nations placed them
under British or French mandate. The boundaries between British and French
mandated Kamerun was defined by the Franco-British Declaration of July 10, 1919
by Viscount Milner, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, and Henry
Simon, the French Minister for the Colonies. In this agreement Bakassi and the
rest of what became known as “British Cameroons” were placed under British
mandate and administered coterminous with “Nigeria” but not actually merged.
The old 1913 border was retained.
under British or French mandate. The boundaries between British and French
mandated Kamerun was defined by the Franco-British Declaration of July 10, 1919
by Viscount Milner, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, and Henry
Simon, the French Minister for the Colonies. In this agreement Bakassi and the
rest of what became known as “British Cameroons” were placed under British
mandate and administered coterminous with “Nigeria” but not actually merged.
The old 1913 border was retained.
To codify this further, another
agreement was signed December 29, 1929 and January 31, 1930 between Sir Graeme
Thomson, Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, and Paul Marchand,
Commissaire de la République Française au Cameroun.
agreement was signed December 29, 1929 and January 31, 1930 between Sir Graeme
Thomson, Governor of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, and Paul Marchand,
Commissaire de la République Française au Cameroun.
This Declaration was ratified and
incorporated in an Exchange of Notes on January 9, 1931 between the French
Ambassador in London and the British Foreign Minister. Again, maps from that
period show the Bakassi peninsula within “British Cameroons”, not the “Colony
and Protectorate of Nigeria”. Neither the Obong nor his people, nor any other
“native Nigerians” protested. General Gowon was born a few years later.
incorporated in an Exchange of Notes on January 9, 1931 between the French
Ambassador in London and the British Foreign Minister. Again, maps from that
period show the Bakassi peninsula within “British Cameroons”, not the “Colony
and Protectorate of Nigeria”. Neither the Obong nor his people, nor any other
“native Nigerians” protested. General Gowon was born a few years later.
Trusteeship agreements
The Second World War broke out in
1939. Native Nigerians also fought for Britain. After the war, the British and
French League of Nations mandates over the Southern and Northern Cameroons and
Cameroun were replaced by trusteeship agreements under the new United Nations –
approved by the General Assembly on December 13, 1946.
1939. Native Nigerians also fought for Britain. After the war, the British and
French League of Nations mandates over the Southern and Northern Cameroons and
Cameroun were replaced by trusteeship agreements under the new United Nations –
approved by the General Assembly on December 13, 1946.
These UN agreements re-ratified the
prior borders as codified by the previous Anglo-German and Anglo-French
agreements. Maps from that period show Bakassi peninsula in the Cameroons, not
the real Nigeria.
prior borders as codified by the previous Anglo-German and Anglo-French
agreements. Maps from that period show Bakassi peninsula in the Cameroons, not
the real Nigeria.
On August 2, 1946 Britain divided the
Cameroons into two, called “Northern Cameroons” and “Southern Cameroons”. The
1946 ‘Order in Council’ contained detailed provisions describing the border
separating these two regions, now conveniently administered from colonial
Nigeria – but not part of it.
Cameroons into two, called “Northern Cameroons” and “Southern Cameroons”. The
1946 ‘Order in Council’ contained detailed provisions describing the border
separating these two regions, now conveniently administered from colonial
Nigeria – but not part of it.
In 1954, the Secretary of State for
the Colonies issued a legal order defining the border between Nigeria’s
“Eastern region” and the “Southern Cameroons.” Bakassi Peninsula was in the
“Southern Cameroons”, distinct from the Eastern region and the Calabar province
and maps from that period show this very clearly. General Gowon had not yet
joined the Nigerian Army.
the Colonies issued a legal order defining the border between Nigeria’s
“Eastern region” and the “Southern Cameroons.” Bakassi Peninsula was in the
“Southern Cameroons”, distinct from the Eastern region and the Calabar province
and maps from that period show this very clearly. General Gowon had not yet
joined the Nigerian Army.
Neither the Obong nor his people nor
any other native Nigerians protested. In March 1959, the UN asked Britain to
clarify the wishes of the people living in Northern and Southern Cameroons
trusteeship territories in the run up to the “independence” of Nigeria and
Cameroun. Maps from that period show Bakassi peninsula in the Cameroons, not
the real Nigeria.
any other native Nigerians protested. In March 1959, the UN asked Britain to
clarify the wishes of the people living in Northern and Southern Cameroons
trusteeship territories in the run up to the “independence” of Nigeria and
Cameroun. Maps from that period show Bakassi peninsula in the Cameroons, not
the real Nigeria.
