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

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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