Presidential Research & Communications Unit

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has said Nigeria was ready and fully committed to a successful handover of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon on August 14, 2008, in accordance with the Green Tree Agreement signed between the two countries.

President Yar’Adua was speaking to the new Cameroonian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Salaheddine Abbas, after he presented his letters of credence at State House Abuja on Friday July 25.

“We must ensure that the August 14 handover goes ahead, in accordance with the Green Tree Agreement, and then we shall continue to work together to further strengthen our existing very cordial and brotherly relations”, he said.

President Yar’Adua said consultations would continue prior to August 14, to ensure a smooth transition in the area for the benefit of all concerned, adding that Nigeria and Cameroon had a long history of cordial and mutually beneficial relations.

Earlier, the new High Commissioner, Mr. Salaheddine Abbas, said Cameroon welcomed the cooperation from Nigeria, and was fully committed to the successful implementation of the Green Tree Agreement. He said his posting to Nigeria was a return home, because he was from the Adamawa part of Cameroon.

Three other ambassadors also presented their letters of credence today. They are Ms. Iman Younes of Lebanon, Mr. Ahmedou Ould Mohammed Mahmould of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and Mr. Qubi Bouchraya Bachir of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

President Yar’Adua challenged them to take necessary steps to strengthen bilateral relations between their countries and Nigeria during their tenures, and assured them of the Government’s support and cooperation to enable them achieve this.