Equatorial Guinea has emerged victorious in a maritime dispute with Gabon, as the ICJ rendered a ruling affirming its sovereignty over three islands known for their potential oil reserves.
UN Court Rules in Favor of Equatorial Guinea in Longstanding Island Dispute with Gabon
UN Court Rules in Favor of Equatorial Guinea in Longstanding Island Dispute with Gabon
The International Court of Justice adjudicates the fate of three disputed islands in the Gulf of Guinea.
In a decisive judgment, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) located in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled in favor of Equatorial Guinea in its long-standing dispute with Gabon over the sovereignty of three islands — Conga, Mbanié, and Cocoteros. The contention between the two Central African nations has persisted since the 1970s, revolving around these virtually uninhabited islands situated within maritime zones rich in potential oil deposits.
The ICJ determined that Equatorial Guinea's claims should be respected, referencing a treaty dating back to 1900 that outlined the division of territories among French and Spanish colonial powers. In contrast, the court dismissed Gabon's assertion that a more contemporary agreement, the 1974 Bata convention, had altered the ownership of the islands in its favor.
This ruling is final and binding, ordering Gabon to withdraw its military forces from Mbanié, the largest of the three islands. Gabon had previously established a military presence there in 1972 after forcibly expelling Equatorial Guinea's troops. Following a period of relative calm, hostilities reignited in the early 2000s due to the emerging potential of oil in the Gulf of Guinea.
After years of mediation by the United Nations, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon agreed in 2016 to permit the ICJ to resolve their territorial dispute. The ICJ's decision marks a significant moment in Central African politics and maritime law, asserting the importance of historical treaties in resolving contemporary disputes.
The ICJ determined that Equatorial Guinea's claims should be respected, referencing a treaty dating back to 1900 that outlined the division of territories among French and Spanish colonial powers. In contrast, the court dismissed Gabon's assertion that a more contemporary agreement, the 1974 Bata convention, had altered the ownership of the islands in its favor.
This ruling is final and binding, ordering Gabon to withdraw its military forces from Mbanié, the largest of the three islands. Gabon had previously established a military presence there in 1972 after forcibly expelling Equatorial Guinea's troops. Following a period of relative calm, hostilities reignited in the early 2000s due to the emerging potential of oil in the Gulf of Guinea.
After years of mediation by the United Nations, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon agreed in 2016 to permit the ICJ to resolve their territorial dispute. The ICJ's decision marks a significant moment in Central African politics and maritime law, asserting the importance of historical treaties in resolving contemporary disputes.
