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Nigeria cedes Bakassi to Cameroon Nigeria cedes Bakassi to Cameroon
(about 1 hour later)
Nigeria has handed over the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, bringing an end to a long-standing dispute over the territory.Nigeria has handed over the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, bringing an end to a long-standing dispute over the territory.
The handover ceremony was moved from the peninsula's main town to Calabar in Nigeria amid security concerns.The handover ceremony was moved from the peninsula's main town to Calabar in Nigeria amid security concerns.
Over the past year about 50 people have been killed in clashes.Over the past year about 50 people have been killed in clashes.
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.
At least 100,000 people have moved from the peninsula in recent years to Nigeria, local leaders said.At least 100,000 people have moved from the peninsula in recent years to Nigeria, local leaders said.
Unresolved pain at Bakassi handover In picturesUnresolved pain at Bakassi handover In pictures
"The gains made in adhering to the rule of law may outweigh the painful losses of ancestral homes," said the head of the Nigerian delegation, Attorney General Mike Aondoakaa."The gains made in adhering to the rule of law may outweigh the painful losses of ancestral homes," said the head of the Nigerian delegation, Attorney General Mike Aondoakaa.
Security has been beefed up ahead of the ceremony.Security has been beefed up ahead of the ceremony.
There have been celebrations on the Cameroonian side as people moved back into the peninsula.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 tensionsBakassi 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 area's population, estimated at up to 300,000, is made up of Nigerian fishermen.
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.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.