Kofi Annan, Olusegun Obasanjo : These Other Frontline Actors!

The Bakassi peninsula, located in Ndian Division, South West Region of Cameroon has an incredible history. The oil-rich territory was officially handed to Cameroon on August 14, 2008 following the signing of the Green Tree Agreement in New York by President Paul Biya of Cameroon and Olunsegun Obasanjo (then President of Nigeria) in the presence of the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan in June 2006. The role of the scribe of the UN and President Olunsegun Obasanjo cannot be underestimated as they were both committed to a peaceful settlement. 
Prior to the official signing, Kofi Annan had constantly mediated a settlement of the border dispute between the two countries. With the case having been taken to the International Court of Justice by Cameroon, the Ghanaian-born diplomat at every occasion urged the two parties to respect the decision of the judicial institution of the UN. A statement released by a UN spokesman in New York, back then indicated that Kofi Annan commended Cameroon and Nigeria for resorting to the ICJ for a peaceful settlement of their territorial dispute, "and for the steps they have taken to restore the fraternal and neighbourly relations that have traditionally existed between them." As UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan met with the two Presidents on several occasions notably in New York and Paris to inspire an amicable end to the dispute. When the accord handing over the territory to Cameroon was signed, Mr. Annan is quoted to have expressed contentment saying “The signing ceremony, crowns a remarkable experiment in conflict prevention by Cameroon and Nigeria.” He did not only end there as a follow-up committee for the implementation of the Green Tree Agreement with the Chairman being the former UN Under-Secretary-General, Kieran Prendergast. Documents were signed and the Nigerian flag lowered for the hoisting of ...