Abstract: Nigeria and its neighbour, Cameroon, sign a bilateral agreement to check the spread of insecurity

Picture suggestion: Nigerian/Cameroun boundary on a map

The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Republic of Cameroon on Tuesday in Abuja signed an agreement on the establishment of a trans-border security committee to check crimes along the land and maritime borders of both countries.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, and the Vice Prime Minister of Cameroon, Amadou Ali, signed for their respectively countries.

In an address, Mr. Ashiru said the agreement was timely in view of the global fight against terrorism and piracy that poses serious threat to international peace and security.

“Nigeria attaches great importance to this signing ceremony of the agreement on the establishment of the Trans-border Security Committee because it once again demonstrates the ability and political will of our two countries to come together and collectively address the common challenges in the sub-region,” he said.

He said terrorism and piracy were being addressed by the UN, AU and ECOWAS at different platforms, including the just concluded International Conference on Somalia in which Nigeria participated actively.

The minister, who described the agreement as a major bilateral initiative, said Nigeria was committed to its full implementation and expressed the hope that Cameroon would follow suit.

In his comments, the Cameroonian vice-premier said the agreement was an important milestone in deepening the existing relations between Nigeria and Cameroon, adding that the construction of a trans-boundary road linking both countries, an electricity inter-connection project and cultural exchanges were evidence of the cordial diplomatic ties.

“Insecurity is a friend to no country and today’s event demonstrates our common will to resolve a common problem. I have no doubt that we will rise up to the challenges of insecurity along our common boundary, notably terrorism, maritime piracy and highway robbery,” Mr. Ali said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria and Cameroon are bound by history and geography, notably by a 2000 km long common land and maritime border.