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Nigeria set for Bakassi handover Nigeria set for Bakassi handover
(about 1 hour later)
Nigeria is due to complete the final handover of the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, ending a long-standing territorial dispute.Nigeria is due to complete the final handover of the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, ending a long-standing territorial dispute.
The flag swapping ceremony in the main town on the peninsular, Abuna, has been scaled down due to security concerns. The handover ceremony has been relocated from the main town on the peninsular to Calabar in Nigeria.
The majority of the local population considers itself Nigerian, but an international court ruled in favour of Cameroon in 2002.The majority of the local population considers itself Nigerian, but an international court ruled in favour of Cameroon in 2002.
Over the past year about 50 people have been killed in clashes.Over the past year about 50 people have been killed in clashes.
Security has been beefed up ahead of the ceremony.
The government has abandoned its duties Lawyer Kayode Fasitere Bakassi plan stirs tensions
There have been celebrations on the Cameroonian side as people moved back into the peninsula.
The International Court of Justice ruling was based on an early 19th Century colonial agreement between Britain and Germany.The International Court of Justice ruling was based on an early 19th Century colonial agreement between Britain and Germany.
Nigeria challenged the ruling, but finally agreed to relinquish the territory two years ago.Nigeria challenged the ruling, but finally agreed to relinquish the territory two years ago.
Part of the territory was handed over to Cameroon two years ago.Part of the territory was handed over to Cameroon two years ago.
RevellersRevellers
A spokesman for Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua said the process was "painful... for everyone including the president", but added that Nigeria had made "a commitment to the international community and we have a responsibility to keep it".A spokesman for Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua said the process was "painful... for everyone including the president", but added that Nigeria had made "a commitment to the international community and we have a responsibility to keep it".
Bakassi plan stirs tensions
Cameroon said the final handover would mark "the end of a crisis".Cameroon said the final handover would mark "the end of a crisis".
On the beaches of the northern part of the island there were parties and celebrations as Cameroonians prepared to go into the last section to be turned over to them.On the beaches of the northern part of the island there were parties and celebrations as Cameroonians prepared to go into the last section to be turned over to them.
"We are going straight to the place, and we're going to be happy," one reveller told the BBC's Randy Joe Sa'ah in Bakassi."We are going straight to the place, and we're going to be happy," one reveller told the BBC's Randy Joe Sa'ah in Bakassi.
But in Nigeria there is still bitterness about the deal.But in Nigeria there is still bitterness about the deal.
"The government has abandoned its duties," said Kayode Fasitere, the lawyer acting for some displaced from Bakassi who sought to have the handover delayed."The government has abandoned its duties," said Kayode Fasitere, the lawyer acting for some displaced from Bakassi who sought to have the handover delayed.
The transfer of Bakassi had been described by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as "a model for negotiated settlements of border disputes".The transfer of Bakassi had been described by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as "a model for negotiated settlements of border disputes".
A group of Bakassi leaders have been seeking compensation from the Nigerian government.A group of Bakassi leaders have been seeking compensation from the Nigerian government.
About 90% of the population of the area is made up of Nigerian fishermen, estimated to number up to 300,000.About 90% of the population of the area is made up of Nigerian fishermen, estimated to number up to 300,000.
An area has been set aside by Nigeria for people moved out of Bakassi, but it has no access to the sea, campaigners say. About 30,000 of the residents have moved out to an area in Cross Rivers State set aside for them, but it has no access to the sea, campaigners say.
Bakassi has a rich fishing culture and people say the handover has destroyed their way of life.Bakassi has a rich fishing culture and people say the handover has destroyed their way of life.
The Bakassi peninsula juts out into the Gulf of Guinea close to the Niger Delta.The Bakassi peninsula juts out into the Gulf of Guinea close to the Niger Delta.
Its offshore waters are thought to contain substantial oil fields - untapped because of the border dispute - which Nigeria and Cameroon will now work together to explore.Its offshore waters are thought to contain substantial oil fields - untapped because of the border dispute - which Nigeria and Cameroon will now work together to explore.