SECRETARY-GENERAL FOLLOWING PREPARATIONS FOR ‘LANDMARK’ 14 AUGUST TRANSFER

OF AUTHORITY IN BAKASSI PENINSULA FROM NIGERIA TO CAMEROON

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is following with interest and anticipation the preparations for the final transfer of authority in the Bakassi peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon, scheduled to take place on 14 August, in implementation of the 2002 ruling of the International Court of Justice and the 2006 Greentree Agreement.  In his capacity as Facilitator of that Agreement, the Secretary-General intends to send a senior official to lead his delegation at the transfer ceremony.

For the United Nations, this will be a landmark event, culminating in the peaceful resolution of a potentially dangerous boundary dispute through respect for international law and good-neighbourly cooperation.  It is an example that should serve as a model for the negotiated settlement of border disputes elsewhere.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record