INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
Peace Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague. TeL(31-70-302 23 23). Cables: Intercourt, The Hague.
Telefax (31-70-364 99 28). Telex 32323. Internet address: http: // www.icj-cij.org
Communiqué
unofficial
formmediate release
No. 98/8
11 March 1998
Case concerning Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria
(Cameroon v. Nigeria)
Conclusion of the hearings on the issues of the jurisdiction of the Court
and the admissibility of Cameroon's claims
The Court ready to consider its JudgmeQJ;
THE HAGUE, 11 March 1998. The public hearings in the present phase of the case
concerning Land and Maritime Boundazy between Cameroon and Nigeria at the International Court
of Justice (1CJ), which started on 2 March 1998,were concluded today, enabling the Judges to start
their deliberations. TheCourt bas to decide whether it has jurisdiction to deal with the merits of
the case and whether Cameroon's claims are admissible.
Nigeria contends that the Court bas no jurisdiction in the matter and that the claims of
Cameroon are not admissible.
Pursuant to Article79 of its Rules, the Court bas ta decide on the preliminary objections
before proceeding to the merits of the case.
During the hearings of 2-11 March, the delegation of Nigeria was led by H.E. Mr. Alhaji
Abdullahi Ibrahim, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Agent, and the delegation of
Cameroon by H.E. Mr. Laurent Esso, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Agent.
The Judgment conceming the preliminary objections raised by Nigeria, which will be final
and without appeal, will be delivered in three to four months. lt will be read during a public
hearing at a date which will be announced in a forthcoming press release.
History of the dispute
On 29 March 1994, Cameroon filed an application instituting proceedings against Nigeria in
a dispute conceming the question of sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula, which it claimed was
in part rnilitarily occupied by Nigeria, and requesting theurt to determine the course of the
maritime frontier between the two Statesn sa far as that frontier had not already been established
by the Maroua Declaration signed by the Cameroonian and Nigerian Heads of State in 1975.
As a basis for the jurisdiction of the Court, Cameroon referred to the declarations made by
bath States by which they accept that jurisdiction as compulsory (Article 36, paragraph 2, of the
Statute of the Court). - 2 -
In an additional application filed on 6 June 1994, Carneroon extended the case to a further
dispute with Nigeria over "a part ofthe territory ofCameroon in the area ofLake Chad", which it
claimed was also occupied by Nigeria. Cameroon asked the Court to specify definitively the
frontier between itself and Nigeria from Lake Chad to the sea, to enjoin the withdrawal of Nigerian
troops from Cameroonian territory and to determine reparation for the material and non-material
damage inflicted.
On 12 February 1996, Cameroon requested the Court to indicate provisional measures after
"serious armed incidents" bad taken place between Cameroonian and Nigerian forces in the Bakassi
Peninsula. Public hearings were heid between 5 and 8 March 1996, and on 15 March 1996, the
Court delivered anOrder indicating that "bath Parties should ensure that no action of any kind, and
particularly no action by their armed forces, is taken which might prejudice the rights of the other
in respect of whatever judgment the Court may render in the case, or which might aggravate or
extend the dispute before it". The ICJ also ruled that they "should observe the agreement reached
between the Ministersof Foreign Affairs in Kara, Togo, on 17 February 1996, for the cessation of
ali hostilities in the Bakassi Peninsula".
*
Internai Judicial Practice of the Court with res.pect to deliberations
As outlined in the Internai Judicial Practice of the Court with respect to deliberations, the
Judges will saon hold a preliminary discussion at which the President will outline the issues which
he considers require discussion and a decision byhe Court.
After initial consideration, aldeliberation will be held during which, on the basis of the
views expressed, a Drafting Committee wille chosen by secret ballot. That committee will consist
of two Judges holding the majority view and the President if he shares that view.
The draft textwillgo through two readings. Meanwhile, Judges who wish ta do so may
prepare a separate or dissenting opinion.
The final vote will be taken after adoption the final text in the second reading.
*
•
NOTE FOR TIIE PRESS
The full transcripts of the hearings of2March can be found on the Website of the Court
at the following address: bttp://www.icj-cij.org
Information Office:
Mr. Arthur Witteveen, Secretaryof the Court (tel: 31-70-302 2336)
Mrs. Laurence Blairon, Information Officer (tel: .31-70-302 2337)
Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria (Cameroon v. Nigeria) - Conclusion of the hearings on the issues of the jurisdiction of the Court and the admissibility of Cameroon's claims - The Court ready to consider its Judgment