Paul Ilo

United Nations Mediation in West Africa: the Case of the Bakassi-peninsula Territorial Conflict in Cameroon-nigeria Relations Paul Ilo

'This important study examines how and why the United Nations sought to use mediation as a key conflict management technique in the recent Bakassi Peninsula territorial conflict between Cameroon and Nigeria. Ilo argues that through the mediation process, the conflict was settled but not resolved. He explains that conflict cessation may be relatively 'easy', but the hard part - settlement of outstanding grievances which led to the conflict in the first place - is often much more intractable, requiring extended periods to bring about a longstanding and workable peace.' The research findings as well as the recommendations of the author are also discussed in order to help future works of ?protracted? and territorial conflict management experts. - Professor Jeffrey Haynes, Director, Centre for the Study of Religion, Conflict and Cooperation, London Metropolitan University, London, UK.