Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08YAOUNDE1041
2008-10-22 13:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:  

CAMEROON-NIGERIA JOINT COMMISSION ENDS ON A HIGH

Tags:  AORC CM ECON MARR NI PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 221341Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9361
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY 0231
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 YAOUNDE 001041 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018
TAGS: AORC CM ECON MARR NI PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON-NIGERIA JOINT COMMISSION ENDS ON A HIGH
NOTE

REF: YAOUNDE 987

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 YAOUNDE 001041

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C AND AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018
TAGS: AORC CM ECON MARR NI PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON-NIGERIA JOINT COMMISSION ENDS ON A HIGH
NOTE

REF: YAOUNDE 987

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)


1. (SBU) Summary: The October 8-11 Fourth Session of the
Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission highlighted the desire by
both countries for a new era of cooperation. The final
document from the session called for expanded cooperation on
security, including joint land and maritime patrols and
intelligence sharing. The two sides discussed strengthening
consular cooperation, trade and economic ties, as well as an
array of joint education, youth, cultural and science
exchanges and activities. The parties agreed to consider a
number of draft agreements on issues ranging from air
services and electricity to the management of protected areas
and police cooperation. Both sides agreed to consider the
creation of a Permanent Cameroon-Nigeria Commission, along
with the establishment of a Joint Security Committee and
Border Patrol, and a permanent Committee on Consular and
Immigration matters. The Cameroonian and Nigerian Foreign
Ministers publicly and privately praised the new spirit of
friendly relations, while agreeing that much work remains to
be done to build on the vast agenda set during this first
Cameroon-Nigerian Joint Commission meeting in six years.
Both sides appear to be looking to the USG for assistance
with improving security in Bakassi. End summary.

A Very Broad Agenda
--------------


2. (U) The agreed minutes of the October 8-11 Joint
Commission session applauded the positive roles played by the
Presidents of Cameroon and Nigeria as well as the United
Nations and "all friendly countries" in the peaceful
settlement of the Bakassi dispute. It lamented the "lull in
bilateral relations" between Nigeria and Cameroon since the
last Joint Commission meeting in 2002, arguing for "an
accelerated implementation of all pending decisions within a
specific timeframe."


3. (U) The published minutes note the following outcome of
the Joint Commission meeting:

-- Security Cooperation: The parties agreed to do joint
land and maritime patrols of the border, undertake
military/security confidence building measures (training,
seminars/workshops, exchanges of experts etc.),collaborate
on intelligence and joint investigation of criminal
activities, and undertake joint search and rescue operations
as needed. The document noted Cameroon's desire that
"procedures for the rapid exchange of security information
using existing structures should be put in place."

-- Education, Youth and Cultural Exchanges: the two sides
exchanged draft agreements on cooperation in culture,
tourism, education, science and technology, health and social
development. Cameroon submitted three additional draft
agreements on medical sciences, science and technology
cooperation, and higher education. Cameroon and Nigeria
agreed to initiate youth and sports exchanges and to
cooperate on study missions, academic exchanges, and efforts
to harmonize university qualifications and fees. On science
and technology, they agreed to highlight cooperation in the
security of geological zones; the production of biofuels;
agricultural research; the fight against epizootic diseases,
HIV/AIDS and STDs; and quality control and circulation of
drugs. The two parties agreed to formalize a consultative
framework for the joint management of cross-border protected
areas and to implement an exchange of television programs.

-- Consular and Immigration Matters: the two sides agreed
on regular high level consultations on consular matters and
the "creation of public awareness" on immigration
requirements in both countries. Nigeria proposed: the
creation of a document for travelers without passports; the
formal acceptance of 90 days of free stay in each other's
countries without registration; the elimination of fees for
residence permits and exit visas; and payment of pensioners
without insisting on residence permits. The Nigerians also
sought an agreement by both parties to enhance the welfare of
prisoners, to explore the possibility of prisoner exchanges,
and to revive the 1972 Protocol on Judicial Matters.
Cameroon said it had already submitted proposals on these
consular matters to Nigeria and that both sides would respond
through diplomatic channels.

-- Economic and Trade Cooperation: the two sides agreed to

YAOUNDE 00001041 002 OF 003


explore ways to boost bilateral trade and strengthen
cooperation between business chambers. They proposed
concluding an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement,
updating the 1963 Trade Agreement, and negotiating a draft
agreement on the elimination of double taxation. They agreed
to intensify support for African Development Bank-facilitated
projects for the construction and maintenance of link roads
and the trans-African highway. They agreed to strengthen
customs cooperation in Mfum (described as a "unique" border
post) and to cooperate in combating smuggling across borders.


Other Agreements: the parties agreed to consider draft
agreements on air services, the free movement of persons,
goods and services, and police cooperation. The Nigerians
submitted draft agreements on health and on the management of
trans-border parks (which Cameroon wants to extend to all
parks along the common border). Cameroon had previously
submitted to Nigeria draft agreements on livestock, fisheries
and animal husbandry; culture; and sports and physical
education. In addition, at the Joint Commission session,
Cameroon submitted drafts of the following: a draft
convention on the avoidance of double taxation and the
prevention of tax evasion; a framework convention on
Cameroon-Nigeria electricity interconnection and the
electrification of trans-border localities; a framework
agreement on science and technology; a framework agreement on
information and communication; an agreement on cooperation on
judicial matters; a protocol agreement on land transportation
of goods; an agreement to set up a standing committee on
transport; an agreement on higher education; a cooperation
agreement on youth development; a trade agreement. Nigeria
agreed to review these documents and respond within three
months.

Proposed Institutional Framework: Nigeria proposed the
establishment of a consultative framework for the follow-up
and implementation of these agreements. Both sides said they
would consider the creation of a Permanent Cameroon-Nigeria
Commission (PCNC),the establishment of a Joint Security
Committee and Border Patrol, and a permanent Committee on
Consular and Immigration matters, with discussions to be
concluded in 2009. The parties endorsed more regular
consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the
exchange of visits by high level government officials. They
agreed that the next Joint Committee session would take place
in Abuja at a mutually acceptable date.

Comment
--------------


4. (SBU) The Joint Commission appeared to jump-start a
relationship which had been strained over Bakassi, outlining
an exhaustive agenda of proposed areas for cooperation. Both
sides agreed that there is need for significant follow-up (it
is not clear how much meat is on the many draft agreements
and proposals put forth). However, both the Cameroonians and
the Nigerians seemed delighted with the atmospherics and
scope of the Joint Commission meeting and with its
significance in putting bilateral relations on a new,
positive path.


5. (C) In his concluding speech, Nigerian Foreign Minster
Ojo Maduekwe hailed the "peace dividends" and the
"transcendent effort" which this Joint Commission achieved.
He said he had gained new inspiration as a Foreign Minister
from the way Bakassi was settled and the follow-on agenda for
improving Nigeria-Cameroon relations, proclaiming that
diplomacy was "the civil religion of the world." Maduekwe
privately confirmed to Pol/Econ Chief that he was very
pleased with the Joint Commission session, adding that the
Government of Cameroon (GRC) was extremely appreciative of
the fact that President Yar'Adua had stuck to Nigeria's
agreements in the Greentree Accord, despite serious
opposition from within the country. He confirmed that the
GRC was receptive to joint military patrols and opined that
President Yar'Adua had gotten the Nigerian military "on
board" in cooperating with Cameroonian counterparts.


6. (SBU) Cameroonian Foreign Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi
arrived in Cameroon the night before the closing ceremony,
missing the substance of the Joint Commission meetings but
driving directly from the airport to the event's gala dinner.
In his closing remarks, he was also brimming with praise for
what he called "the Cam-Nigeria New Spirit," specifically
highlighting the "milestones" reached on energy cooperation.
In an October 17 meeting with visiting Acting Director for

YAOUNDE 00001041 003 OF 003


AF/C Siria Lopez, Secretary General at the Ministry of
External Relations (MINREX) Sebastien Foumane praised the
"very new era" of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and
Cameroon, saying that both parties were very satisfied "at
high levels" with the Joint Commission session, including
with plans for joint patrols and security cooperation. He
highlighted decisions during the Joint Commission for better
cooperation on electricity and park protection and was
pleased with the breadth of the overall discussions.


7. (C) Foumane affirmed that Cameroon "needs help from its
friend countries" to tackle the security challenges of
Bakassi. Other senior MINREX officials have also recently
underscored to Emboffs what they see as the priority need for
USG assistance on security in Bakassi. Pol/Econ Chief had
informally briefed Foreign Minister Maduekwe earlier in the
week about U.S. security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
On the margins of the Joint Commission closing ceremony, the
Foreign Minister reminded Pol/Econ Chief about this
discussion, noting his appreciation and interest in exploring
a U.S. role in the new Cameroon-Nigeria maritime security
plans and adding that Nigeria and Cameroon recognize they
face common challenges in this area. As noted reftel, the
new spirit of cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon and
their apparent desire for U.S. assistance, will offer new
opportunities for the United States to help strengthen
security in the region and our relationships with both
countries.
GARVEY