Migrations across International Boundaries and the Nationality and Citizenship Question in South West Cameroon

Abstract

The Nigeria-Cameroon boundary from the Atlantic ocean to Lake Chad lack precise demarcation on the ground; its instability in time and the limited means for its policing from colonial times to date and the disregard of the borders by the vivisected but related ethnic groups, have overtime generated and maintained a variable fluidity of migrations across it by citizens of both countries to and fro the other. Currently, Nigerian migrants to Cameroon - particularly South West Cameroon - constitute by for the largest number of foreign residents in that country and they are referred to as “Cam-Gerians”. These migrations vary in size, character, motivation, destination and pre-occupation. It is indicated that these migrations were influenced by the changing political, economic security and demographic impact on both countries across their common borders; from the colonial era to date. These trans-border migrations, their trend, character including the British policy of encouraging immigration to south west Cameroon actuated the nationality and citizenship question in south west Cameroon. The paper suggests that since these “Cam-Gerians” are denied Cameroonian nationality and citizenship and exploited by their host, both countries should put in place institutional mechanisms that would guarantee the lives, properties and investments of the “Cam-Gerians”. The lessons of European trans-boundary regionalism are highlighted as policy options for both countries.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(1), 106-116, 2011