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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Friday, 22 October, 2004, 23:15 GMT 00:15 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bakassi handover talks deadlocked Most Bakassi residents consider themselves to be Nigerian Talks between Nigeria and Cameroon over the disputed oil-rich Bakassi peninsula have ended without agreement. Under a World Court ruling, Nigeria was supposed to hand the land to Cameroon last month - but it failed to do so. Nigeria's foreign minister said the handover would definitely take place, "it is just a matter of time". A statement after the meeting said the matter was being referred back to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the two countries' presidents. Unexplained differences "After deliberation on the issue, and as a result of a divergence of views, the mixed-commission decided to refer the matter to the heads of state of Cameroon and Nigeria and the Secretary General of the United Nations," said a joint statement issued after the meeting in the Nigerian capital Abuja. The matters on which the countries disagreed were not explained. Bakassi juts into the Gulf of Guinea - which it is thought could contain up to 10% of the world's oil and gas reserves - south of the border between the two countries. It is also rich in fish. Q&A;: Bakassi Peninsula Nigerians fear handover After a long-running border dispute, the International Court of Justice in October 2002 ordered Nigeria to cede sovereignty of the 1,000-sq-km (400-sq-mile) territory to Cameroon. Many border villages have changed hands, but a 15 September deadline for the final handover passed without any movement, with Nigeria citing "technical difficulties". There has been fierce opposition to the change of sovereignty from the Bakassi people and Nigerian MPs, who say the estimated 300,000 residents of the peninsula should be allowed a referendum on their future. The UN representative at the talks, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, said Nigeria must obey the court ruling. "They cannot be the exception, the only country not to accept international law," he said. Nigerian Foreign Minister Bola Ajibola told The Associated Press: "We want to make sure we execute the project in the right way and at the right time... It is just a matter of time". And Cameroon's Justice Minister Amadou Ali sounded optimistic, saying: "There's no doubt that they will apply international law." E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectBakassi handover talks deadlockedEU envoy to pledge aid for DarfurDR Congo slams 'Tintin' ministerAfrica's big plan 'disappointing'UN urges end to Ugandan 'horror'Taylor aides' reprieve in LiberiaCharges over Nigerian coup plotSlapped Nigerian senator forgivesEthiopians given death sentencesMoroccans suffer from terror warZimbabwe releases apartheid spyLiberia school closes after riotsNigeria slams corruption ranking'Biggest' Africa HIV centre opensNigerian bishop's anger at churchTaking the pulse of GhanaSouth Africa's new multi-racial comedyCommission for Africa: African voicesShould radio phone-ins be banned?African elections: Your picturesSend us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Nigeria downplays Bakassi delay 15 Sep 04  |  Africa Nigeria seeks Bakassi referendum 03 Sep 04  |  Africa Doing time in a Cameroon 'cell' 24 Aug 04  |  Africa Nigeria hands Cameroon villages 19 Dec 03  |  Africa 'My home is in another country' 19 Jan 04  |  Africa Nigeria stalls on Bakassi 07 Aug 03  |  Africa RELATED BBC LINKS: Focus on Africa Network Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigeria government Cameroonian presidency International Court of Justice Nigeria Congress The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Bakassi handover talks deadlocked EU envoy to pledge aid for Darfur DR Congo slams 'Tintin' minister Africa's big plan 'disappointing' News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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