Bakassi Peninsula

About the Book

Bakassi Peninsula: The Untold Story of a People Betrayed essentially narrates the struggle of a people to retain ownership of their homeland; Bakassi Peninsula and the challenges encountered on that tortuous road, following the outbreak of hostilities between the Federation of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon over ownership of the Bakassi peninsula. The book provides a brief history of the Usakedet people; customary owners of the peninsula as well as presents a critical view of the administrative, legal and political measures taken by governments including Great Britain that have proved to be detrimental to the interest of customary owners of the peninsula. Bakassi Peninsula: The Untold Story of a People Betrayed equally takes a look at the ownership controversy between Cameroon and Nigeria and provides select legal opinions on the conflict before presenting the reader with un-edited extract of the judgment of the Internal Court of Justice at The Hague. The book finally presents reactions to that judgment by Cameroonians and Nigerians and concludes with a look at what the future might hold for the Bakassi Peninsula and its native population; the Usakedet people.

About the Author

Okon Edet is a retired diplomat who was born in Bakassi peninsula in 1946 of a Bakassi native mother, Mma Obot Antigha Oku, and an Efiat father, Pa Etim Edet Effiong Asuquo, aka Esit Ayat of Esuk Ewang village in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, but fostered by a Bakassi native stepfather, Pa Benedict Edet Etim. Edet holds a masters degree in international law and diplomacy (MILD) from the University of Lagos and a second class upper bachelor’s degree in modern European languages (Portuguese-French) from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. Edet also studied international relations and diplomacy at the Nigerian Foreign Service Academy besides undergoing short duration language proficiency courses at the University of Abidjan, University of Sao Paulo, Iraq, and Poland. Edet is a polyglot who during some twenty-eight years in the Foreign Service served on a number of occasions as interpreter and translator for various institutions and dignitaries, including heads of state. He is widely travelled, thanks to diplomatic postings that took him to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Intellectually very endowed, competent, and hardworking, Edet’s years in the diplomatic service have bestowed rich experience which undoubtedly has greatly enhanced his understanding of the dilemma of his Bakassi people. Edet is married to Christy Usim, and the couple have three lovely children: Dr. Isidor Antigha Edet, Ms. Rosetta Iquo Edet, and Barr. Henry Edet Okon Edet