The recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has brought an end to a long-standing territorial dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon over a cluster of small islands in the Gulf of Guinea. The ruling affirmed Equatorial Guinea’s legal sovereignty over the uninhabited Mbanie, Cocotiers, and Conga islands, which are located in potentially oil-rich waters.
The dispute, which dates back several decades, was finally brought to the ICJ in 2021. The court’s decision declared that the 1974 agreement that Gabon relied on to stake its claim to the islands was not a legally binding treaty. As a result, sovereignty over the islands was awarded to Equatorial Guinea, citing the Kingdom of Spain’s title in 1968, which Equatorial Guinea succeeded.
One of the islands at the center of the dispute, Mbanié, has been occupied by Gabonese forces since 1972 after expelling Equatorial Guinea’s military presence. The ruling now requires Gabon to withdraw its troops from the island, which spans just 74 acres.
This landmark decision comes at a crucial time for both countries as they reassess their oil strategies. The Gulf of Guinea is known for its significant oil reserves, and the resolution of this territorial dispute could have implications for future exploration and development in the region.
In conclusion, the ICJ’s ruling in favor of Equatorial Guinea has settled a longstanding dispute and provided clarity on the sovereignty of the disputed islands. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the relationship between the two Central African nations and their approach to resource management in the Gulf of Guinea.
