Written Reply of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Question put by a Judge at the Hearings

~ 002/003
25/03 '98 11:57 FAX

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2517 KJ The Hague 25 March 1998 jamrs lnne!ï

Netherlands 1\l~erry
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Dear Sir
Du,.nrhy CC'ry-Wril:hr

Land and Maritjme Boundary between Cam.eroonand Nigeria CliveDo1v~

(Cameroon -li-Nigeria) Simtm Çotkl!'
D••id Tiplody

On behalf of the Agent for the Govemment of the Federal Govemment of Nigeria, we R.i~! lncJ

attachthe Written Reply to the questionraised by Judge Guillaume on 6th March 1998, HenryClinron•U.olvi~

after the fir.stround of oral pleadings by Nigeria and Cameroon. This is a copy of the

original, which was signed by the Agent for Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdullahi

Ibrahim OFR, SAN, and which was sent to you by ovemight courier yesterday.

Cil.cAlüca.~
Yours faithfully

RichordMox

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LB127455.I25/03 '98 11:58 FAX ~ 003/003

INTERNATIONAL COUin' OF JUSTICE

CASE CONCERNING

THE LAND ANDMAlUTIME BOUNDARY

BETWEEN CAMEROON AND NIGERIA

(CAMEROON V NIGERIA)

PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS BEAIUNG 2 - 11 March 1998

NIGERIA'S ANSWER TO QUESTION OF JUDGE GUILLAUME

The land boundary betweeo Nigeria and Cameroon is not described by reference to geographical co-

ordinaŒs. Rather, the relevant instruments (ali of which pre-date the independence of Nigeria and

Cameroon) and well-established practice, both before and after independence, fix the boundary by

referencetophysical fean.tres sucstreams.rivers, mountains and roads, as was common in those

days. Since iodependence, thtwo States have not concludeany bilateral agreement expressly

confinningor otherwise describing the pre-independence bom1dary by reference to geographical co-

ordinates. Nevertheless, the course of the boundary, which was well-.establisbedbefore independence

and related UN procedures, bas continued to be acceptin practice since then by Nigeria and

Cameroon.

Albaji AbduDahi Ibrahim, OFR, SAN

As Agent of Nigeria