Dear Advocates and Judges,
Welcome to this year’s BERMUN2 2026 International Court of Justice!
With regard to this year's conference theme, Decolonize., the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be deliberating the application of Cameroon regarding the Land and Maritime Boundary between them and Nigeria. There remained a long-running territorial dispute between the two countries, especially around the area of the Bakassi Peninsula. The dispute dated back to colonial-era border establishments, during which the Bakassi Peninsula was under German control. Despite the various changes in power and the independence of both Nigeria and Cameroon, colonial boundaries still remained. Tensions continued to rise as resources, such as oil, were discovered. This led to military conflict. Cameroon claimed Nigerian troops in the Cameroonian areas on the Bakassi Peninsula. Cameroon's determined pursuit of sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula and clarification on land and Maritime borders, therefore it brought the issue to the ICJ.
At this conference, I will have the honor of serving as the president of the ICJ for the first time. I have been an active participant in the MUN program at my school since autumn 2024. I have participated in five former MUN conferences. My former experience as a judge for the ICJ sparked my interest and deepened my knowledge of the court and their solutions to international disputes using international law. Furthermore, the ICJ created a space where one could voice one's own opinion during the deliberation, which I greatly enjoyed.
On a more personal note, I am 16 and attend the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin. Outside of school and MUN, I enjoy singing, dancing, playing the guitar, as well as spending time with friends and family.
I look forward to meeting all of you in February!
Sincerely,
Karma Zilberkweit
