Thursday, August 14, 2008

It Can Be Done

It's nice to see a dispute handled without all-out war, especially in Africa.

Nigeria has handed over the potentially oil-rich Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, bringing an end to a long-standing dispute over the territory.

It hasn't been completely peaceful, or without emotion.

Over the past year about 50 people have been killed in clashes.

"The government has abandoned its duties," said Kayode Fasitere, the lawyer acting for some displaced from Bakassi who sought to have the handover delayed.

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".

Keeping an international commitment; what a novel idea.

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