The International Court of Justice has ruled in favor of Equatorial Guinea in a long-standing territorial dispute with Gabon, granting sovereignty over three uninhabited islands that are believed to have significant oil resources.
International Court of Justice Rules in Favor of Equatorial Guinea Over Gabonese Island Dispute
International Court of Justice Rules in Favor of Equatorial Guinea Over Gabonese Island Dispute
The ICJ decision affirms Equatorial Guinea's sovereignty over three islands, raising implications for regional resource management and geopolitical relations.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has issued a pivotal ruling favoring Equatorial Guinea in its ongoing dispute with Gabon over three islands—Conga, Mbanié, and Cocoteros—located in waters that are thought to be rich in oil deposits. This dispute has roots dating back to the early 1970s, when the islands became a point of contention between the two Central African nations.
In its ruling, the ICJ upheld Equatorial Guinea's claim based on a 1900 treaty that delineated the colonial possessions of Spain and France, stating that this historical agreement must be honored. The court rejected Gabon's argument that a more recent treaty, referred to as the 1974 Bata convention, had shifted the islands’ sovereignty in favor of Gabon. This decision is final and binding, reinforcing Equatorial Guinea’s ownership following its independence from Spain in 1968.
As a direct consequence of the ruling, Gabon has been ordered to withdraw its military personnel from Mbanié, the largest of the three islands, which has been under Gabonese military possession since 1972 when they expelled Equatorial Guinean troops. Although tensions eased in the interim, they reignited in the early 2000s amid the growing recognition of oil reserves in the Gulf of Guinea. In light of the historic and strategic significance of the ruling, this decision may pave the way for renewed dialogue between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon regarding resource management and cooperation in the region.
Following years of mediation facilitated by the United Nations, both nations had agreed to let the ICJ resolve the dispute, marking a significant step towards a legally-binding resolution in Central African geopolitics. The implications of this ruling extend beyond just territorial claims, potentially influencing the economic future of both nations as they navigate the complexities of resource exploitation in their shared maritime zone.
