NIGERIA: UNHCR AND ICRC ON BAKASSI WITHDRAWAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001337 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA DOE FOR GEORGE PERSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2018 TAGS: PGOV PBTS PREF SMIG KDEM ICRC UNHCR CM NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: UNHCR AND ICRC ON BAKASSI WITHDRAWAL ISSUES REF: A. SECSTATE 71955 ¶B. LAGOS 243 ¶C. LAGOS 224 Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b & d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Per reftel A, Post contacted United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives in Abuja to discuss the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Bakassi Peninsula and to ask about contingency plans for possible further displacement as the August 14 deadline for a total withdrawal of GON personnel approaches. On July 8, UNHCR Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS Alphonse Malanda described a proactive UN approach to the problem, and the UN's positive disposition toward a formal request from the GON for eventual UN help, subsequent to completion of the GON's own study of the matter. On July 10, ICRC Regional Delegate and Head of Mission Jacques Villettaz said that while the ICRC was not playing a role in aiding IDPs, in his view the Cross River Red Cross chapter was already quite prepared to provide adequate aid to a large number of people if necessary. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On July 8, UNHCR representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS Alphonse Malanda described to Poloff a series of meetings between the UN and the GON to determine what role the UN might play in handling current and possible future IDPs from the Bakassi Peninsula. The most important of these meetings had been between Special Representative for the Secretary General Said Djinnit and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, in which Jonathan formally requested UN support for the resettlement of Bakassi IDPs. Malanda said that Jonathan told Djinnit that specific GON requests for support from the UN would be made when "all internal (GON) discussions had been accomplished." As there is a great deal of money at stake, Malanda further speculated that the final GON request would be delayed by the Nigerian fear that the GON estimated cost of all Bakassi-related expenses would be far higher than the UN's estimate, the difference representing the amount of money that can be funneled into private pockets, he alleged. The UN was, however, positively disposed to playing a significant role once the GON formally made its needs known, he said. ¶3. (C) Malanda said the GON is attempting to recreate "old Bakassi" in Nigeria by providing the IDPs with land as similar as possible to their former home. The Cross River State Government has, however, already frittered away most of the 36 billion naira ($308 million) which former President Obasanjo provided for IDP resettlement by purchasing large inland tracts to which the Bakassi IDPs refuse to resettle (as they are fishermen),and spending much of the rest on the pet projects of local politicians and upgrading tourist facilities, Malanda explained. He therefore thought any additional funds would require a new allocation from the GON. ¶4. (C) On July 10, ICRC Regional Delegate and Head of Mission Jacques Villettaz said that the ICRC has not been involved in aiding Bakassi IDPs, and, given the high level of preparation of the Cross River Red Cross chapter, it would not be involved in the future. He said that past efforts of the Nigerian Red Cross chapter to visit the peninsula and survey the situation were not effective, as Nigerian officials "did not welcome them," and did not cooperate in efforts to gain a reliable estimate of IDPs and assess anticipated needs. He asserted, however, that the Cross River chapter was one of the "top three" out of Nigeria's 37 total chapters, and that they had a contingency plan in place since 2006 that will enable them to aid 25,000-30,000 people at once. ¶5. (C) In 2006, he claimed, around 300 people from Bakassi crossed over into Nigeria, and while he estimates that some stayed in Cross River State, most returned home -- Bakassi indigenes are "more interested in business than nationality." He also said past and future claims of IDP numbers are likely to be inaccurate, as the issue is highly political. In any event, he added, he believes the number of future IDPs ABUJA 00001337 002 OF 002 is likely to be small, well within the capabilities of the Cross River Red Cross. He described Nigerian efforts on the ground as spotty -- the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was well-equipped, but lacked competent personnel to be an effective partner to the Red Cross. NEMA was "too young" an organization, he said, and did a very poor job of maintaining rosters of volunteers to be called in when an emergency arose. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: The number of known Bakassi IDPs in Nigeria is currently around 1000, down from as many as 4000 (see reftels B and C). Post is encouraged that the GON appears to be making a comprehensive (though late) effort to address the needs of present and future migrants, though the logistics, funding, and execution of any plan will likely be inadequate, given past GON performance. With UN willingness to play a significant role once the GON makes a detailed formal request, and the preparation of Cross River state's Red Cross organization, it seems the GON should have sufficient assistance to deal with a large number of IDPs. Post judges that there is no danger of statelessness for Bakassi residents, as those crossing into Nigeria may claim Nigerian citizenship, and those remaining in the peninsula may maintain either their Nigerian citizenship or apply for Cameroonian citizenship. Post will continue to monitor developments, particularly for threats of violence, as August 14 approaches. END COMMENT. SANDERS