THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) IN THE RESOLUTION OF BAKASI PENINSULA CONFLICT BETWEEN NIGERIA AND CAMEROON

This study critically examines the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the resolution of the Bakassi Peninsula conflict between Nigeria and Cameroon. The conflict, rooted in colonial boundary demarcations and territorial claims, led to decades of diplomatic tensions and intermittent violence between both West African nations. This research aims to explore how international legal mechanisms, particularly the ICJ, contributed to the peaceful resolution of this long-standing territorial dispute. The study adopts a qualitative research design, employing a descriptive and analytical approach. Secondary sources such as legal documents, ICJ judgments, treaties, academic journals, government publications, and historical records formed the basis of data collection and analysis. The findings reveal that the ICJ played a pivotal role in the conflict's resolution by offering a neutral platform for adjudication, interpreting international treaties, and ensuring that the principles of international law were upheld. The 2002 ICJ ruling, which ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, was a landmark decision that demonstrated the court’s capacity to resolve complex territorial disputes. Furthermore, the research highlights the post-judgment diplomatic efforts and the Greentree Agreement of 2006, which facilitated the peaceful implementation of the court's ruling, showcasing the importance of international cooperation and mediation. The study concludes that the ICJ significantly contributed to regional peace and set a precedent for the peaceful settlement of international disputes through legal means rather than armed conflict. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the ICJ and other international bodies should not only focus on legal adjudication but also ensure that their decisions incorporate humanitarian concerns, particularly in cases involving populations with strong ethnic and cultural ties to disputed territories. Overall, the research underscores the critical role of international legal institutions in managing global conflicts and promoting a rules-based international order while highlighting the need for inclusive and people-centered approaches in territorial conflict resolutions.