Summary of Conventions

Country	Status	Year
Cameroon	member	01-Jan-1970
Central African Republic	member	01-Jan-1970
Chad	member	01-Jan-1970
Niger	member	01-Jan-1970
Nigeria	member	01-Jan-1970

Language
English
French

Document text

	Convention and Statute Relating to the Development of the Chad Basin

Adopted at Fort Lamy, Chad on 22 May 1964.


      The Federal Republic of Cameroun, the Republic of Niger and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

      Having noted the Charter of the United Nations Organisation of 26th June 1945;

      Having noted the resolution of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organisation relating to the international co-operation in the regulation and use of waters, especially No. 417 (XIV) of 2nd January, 1952, 553 (XVIII) of 2nd August, 1954, 559 (XXXI) of 3rd May, 1956 and 675 (XXXV) of 2nd May, 1958;

      Having noted the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity of 25th May, 1963;

      Recognising the need to formulate principles for the utilisation of the resources of the Chad Basin for economic purposes, including the harnessing of the water;

     Considering that Member States of the Organisation of African Unity have resolved to co-ordinate and intensify their co-operation and efforts to achieve a better life for the people of Africa;

     Considering that since schemes drawn up by the respective Member States for the utilisation of the water in the Chad Basin are liable to affect the regime of the Basin and thereby its exploitation by the other member States, it is desirable to create a commission to prepare general regulations, to ensure their effective application, to co-ordinate the research activities of Member States, to study projects prepared by Member States, to recommend plans for the execution of surveys and works in the Chad Basin, and, in general, to maintain liaison between the Member States;

     Resolved to conclude a Convention for the purpose of achieving the foregoing objectives;

     Have agreed as follows:


Article 1

     The present Convention hereby established a CHAD BASIN COMMISSION, hereinafter referred to as "the Commission".


Article 2

     The annexed Statute shall be an integral part of this Convention.

Article 3

1.   This Convention shall be subject to ratification by the Member States.

2.   The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Government of Chad which shall notify the other Member States of such deposit.

3.   This Convention shall enter into force immediately upon receipt by the Government of Chad of the last instrument of ratification.


Article 4

     This Convention shall, after due ratification, be deposited by the Government of Chad with the Secretariat of the Organisation of African Unity and registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations Organisation.


Article 5

     The present Convention may be denounced by any one of the Member States after a lapse of ten years from the date of its coming into effect. Denunciation shall take the form of a written notice addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Commission who shall acknowledge its receipt. It shall take effect one year from the date of the acknowledgment of its receipt, if not withdrawn earlier. In the absence of agreement to the contrary, it shall not
affect obligations relating to any programme of surveys and works agreed to before such denunciation.


Article 6

     The Convention and the annexed Statute may be amended upon the request of at least two of the Member States giving written notice to that effect to the Executive Secretary of the Commission. Any such proposed amendment shall be approved by the Member States, and shall take effect six months from the date of its  adoption.

Article 7

     Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention which cannot be resolved by the Commission, shall be referred to the Commission of Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration of the Organisation of African Unity, for determination.

Article 8

1.   The English and French texts of the present Convention shall be equally authentic.

2.   The working languages of the Commission shall be if possible African languages, English and French.


In Faith Whereof, We the Heads of States and Governments bordering the Lake Chad Basin, have signed this Convention.


                              *****

Short Name:	LCBC
Full Name:	Lake Chad Basin Commission
Purpose:	environment
Established:	22-May-1964
Entered into force:
Type:	body, multi-lateral
Place where established:
Schedule to expire:
Goals and Objectives:	The aims of the Commission are to regulate and control the utilization of water and other natural resources in the basin; to initiate, promote and coordinate natural resources development projects and research within the basin area; to examine complaints; and to promote the settlement of disputes, thereby promoting regional cooperation.
Related Legislation:	LCBC was created by the Fort Lamy (now N'Djamena) Convention.
Internet source:

Secretariat's address	Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) B.P. 727 N'Djamena Chad
Telephone	[235]52-4145
Fax	[235]52-4137
E-Mail	lcbc@intnt.td#mailto:lcbc@intnt.td#
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