Leaders of Southern Cameroons, including prisoners of conscience connected to the ongoing conflict in the region, say they are closely following the unfolding dispute between Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria over the ownership of oil wells and marine resources within Nigeria’s maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Guinea.
The leaders say the issue directly concerns the people of Southern Cameroons because of their unique geographical and historical ties with Cross River State. Southern Cameroons is the only territory that shares both terrestrial and maritime boundaries with Cross River State and, by extension, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the statement, developments affecting Cross River State inevitably have implications for Southern Cameroons, just as the ongoing conflict in Southern Cameroons has had significant humanitarian and social effects on Cross River State.
For nearly a decade, Southern Cameroons has been engulfed in conflict following tensions with the government of Cameroon. The leaders noted that many civilians fleeing violence have found refuge in neighboring Nigeria, particularly in Cross River State.
They expressed deep appreciation to the government and people of Cross River State for the compassion they have shown in hosting thousands of refugees displaced by the conflict.
The statement specifically thanked the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, as well as citizens of the state for providing shelter and extending their limited resources to support Southern Cameroonian refugees.
According to the leaders, more than one hundred thousand Southern Cameroonians have sought refuge in Cross River State as a result of the ongoing crisis.
Beyond humanitarian concerns, the leaders also emphasized the deep historical, cultural, and economic ties between Southern Cameroons and Cross River State. They noted that both regions share common ancestral roots, cultural traditions, and long-standing social connections shaped by historical boundary markers along the Gulf of Guinea.
They argued that these ties create a natural foundation for cooperation, especially at a time when Cross River State is asserting claims over maritime resources within Nigeria’s federal structure.
The leaders said they are prepared to enter discussions with the Cross River State government and provide historical and material information that may help clarify issues surrounding maritime boundaries and resource ownership on the Nigerian side of the Gulf of Guinea.
They also pointed to the economic potential of stronger cooperation between Cross River State and Southern Cameroons in the future. According to them, peace and stability in the region could enhance development initiatives such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the Mfum Export Processing Zone, both of which are expected to play significant roles in regional trade and economic growth.
The statement further argued that the ongoing conflict in Southern Cameroons has been worsened by political tensions and perceptions surrounding the region’s cultural and linguistic identity.
Despite these challenges, the leaders say the people of Southern Cameroons remain committed to pursuing what they describe as a just cause, while also recognizing the importance of peace, stability, and cooperation in the broader region.
They concluded by expressing hope that one day both peoples — those of Southern Cameroons and Cross River State — will share in a future defined by peace, justice, and shared prosperity.
The statement was issued on behalf of the Leaders of Southern Cameroons and Prisoners of Conscience and War.
